The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme giving eligible low-income households in Great Britain a one-off rebate on their winter electricity bill, set at 150 GBP for 2025-26. The rebate is applied by the energy supplier rather than paid as cash.
In one line: The Warm Home Discount is a government winter electricity rebate for eligible low-income households, applied directly to the bill by the supplier.
How the Warm Home Discount works
Eligibility centres on receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit or another qualifying means-tested benefit on the scheme's qualifying date. Qualifying households generally receive the rebate automatically, applied as a credit on the electricity account.
For 2025-26 the rebate is 150 GBP (GOV.UK). Applied to a 400 GBP winter electricity bill, it reduces the amount owed to 250 GBP. The credit is usually applied between November and the end of March.
The scheme is administered by participating suppliers under rules set by the government, with delivery arrangements in Scotland differing in some respects from England and Wales.
Warm Home Discount vs the price cap
The price cap limits the rates everyone on a default tariff pays, whereas the Warm Home Discount is a targeted rebate only for eligible low-income households on top of those rates.
It is also distinct from the Priority Services Register, which provides extra support services rather than a financial discount.
Primary source: GOV.UK: Warm Home Discount Scheme