Millions of households could receive a £150 reduction on their electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme this winter, with the Department for Work and Pensions confirming the main benefit groups that can qualify.
The payment is designed to help eligible households with energy costs during the colder months. Rather than being paid directly into a bank account, the £150 support is normally added as credit to an eligible customer’s electricity bill.
The scheme is currently closed but is expected to reopen in October 2026 for the 2026 to 2027 winter period.
Eligibility
For households in England and Wales, eligibility depends on several conditions being met.
As of August 23, 2026, the household must have an energy supplier that participates in the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The claimant or their partner must also receive one of the qualifying means-tested benefits, and the claimant or their partner must be named on the electricity bill.
The benefit requirement is particularly important because not every benefit qualifies for the scheme.
The four qualifying means-tested benefits are:
| Qualifying benefit | Eligible for Warm Home Discount |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Yes |
| Housing Benefit | Yes |
| Income-related ESA | Yes |
| Pension Credit | Yes |
Meeting the benefit condition alone does not necessarily guarantee the discount. The other eligibility requirements also need to be satisfied.
Pension
Pension Credit is one of the qualifying benefits, meaning some low-income pensioner households could receive the £150 electricity bill discount.
Pension Credit is separate from the State Pension and is intended to provide additional financial support to people over State Pension age who have a low income.
People who think they may qualify for Pension Credit but do not currently receive it may wish to check their eligibility. Receiving Pension Credit can also provide access to other forms of support, depending on individual circumstances.
Suppliers
The Warm Home Discount is only available through participating energy suppliers.
For the 2026 to 2027 scheme, the listed participating suppliers include 100Green, Boost, British Gas, E, Ecotricity, EDF, EnergyCoop through Octopus Energy, E.ON Next, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Octopus Energy, Outfox Energy, OVO, Sainsbury’s Energy, ScottishPower, So Energy, Square 1 Energy Ltd, TruEnergy, Tulo Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.
Some supplier names have changed or operate under another brand. For example, 100Green was formerly known as Green Energy UK or GEUK, while Scottish Gas is associated with British Gas.
If you are unsure whether your supplier participates, checking directly with the company can help establish whether the discount can be applied to your account.
Payment
The Warm Home Discount is not normally sent as a cash payment.
Instead, eligible households receive £150 credit toward their electricity bill. This means the support reduces the amount owed on the household’s electricity account rather than providing money that can be withdrawn or spent elsewhere.
The credit is expected to be applied later in the year after the scheme reopens.
Eligible households should therefore check their electricity account and communications from their supplier rather than expecting a £150 bank transfer.
Gas
Some households may wonder whether the discount can be applied to their gas bill.
The scheme is primarily provided as a discount on electricity bills. However, if an eligible household receives both gas and electricity from the same supplier, it may be possible for the supplier to provide the discount against the gas account instead.
This depends on the supplier’s arrangements, so households in this situation should contact their energy company for information about how the credit will be applied.
Reopening
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is currently closed for applications and is expected to reopen in October 2026.
The timing means households should not assume that they can claim the £150 discount immediately. Eligibility and the process for receiving the credit depend on the rules applying to the 2026 to 2027 scheme.
People who believe they qualify should make sure their personal and energy account details are up to date and check information from their supplier when the scheme reopens.
Checklist
Before the scheme reopens, households can check a few basic details.
First, determine whether they or their partner receive Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA or Pension Credit. Next, check whether their energy supplier participates in the scheme.
They should also confirm that they or their partner are named on the electricity bill.
These checks do not replace the official eligibility process, but they can help households understand whether they may qualify for the £150 support.
The Warm Home Discount is intended to provide targeted help with winter energy costs rather than a universal payment. For eligible households, the £150 credit could reduce the pressure of electricity bills during the colder months. The key points are the qualifying benefit, participating supplier and electricity account requirements, while the scheme itself is expected to reopen in October 2026.
