The Warm Home Discount.

What is the Warm Home Discount (WHD)?

The Warm Home Discount scheme is here to give some help to those who are potentially struggling to pay their energy bills during the cold winter months. It's a one-off payment of £150 that is used as a credit on your electricity bills.

Who's it funded by? Well it's actually funded by participating energy suppliers, like us, who are trying to help our vulnerable customers and make sure that they can enjoy a cosy home without worrying about the cost of the bills.

Please note: The Warm Home Discount scheme is currently closed.

Who is eligible for the WHD scheme?

In England and Wales there is just the Core Group for those on certain means tested benefits.

In Scotland there is both the "Core Group" and the "Broader Group".

If you're in the Core Group then you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme automatically, and the DWP will get in touch to let you know.

What do I need to do if I'm in the Core group?

You will get a letter from the government who arrange for your payment to be made by your energy supplier. Whoever supplies you on 23rd August 2026 will be responsible for giving you your payment.

To receive the Warm Home Discount you'll need to be the named account holder or the partner of the account holder.

You may be part of the Core Group in England and Wales if you are in receipt of means tested benefits.

The eligible benefits for the Core Group in England and Wales include Pension Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.

You may be part of the Core Group in Scotland if you are in receipt of certain benefits.

The eligible benefits for the Core Group in Scotland include Pension Credit, Universal Credit with a disability/health element, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Support for Mortgage Interest (SMI) loans) and a disability/pensioner premium, Unemployed Universal Credit, income-related ESA, or an SMI loan while living with a child under 5.

If you are eligible the government will contact you directly over the winter of 2026/27.

If you haven’t been contacted by the beginning of January 2027, but think you do you qualify, you can find out more details about what to do on the WHD page on the government website.

Who falls into the Broader group (Scotland)?

The Broader group includes a wide range of people who are not already eligible for the Core Group, including those who are in receipt of Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Pension Age or Adult Disability payment, Council tax reduction for disability or low income or if your household income falls below a certain threshold.

There is a more detailed eligibility criteria which you can see when completing your application.

How and when will I get the payment?

You'll receive the payment on your electricity account between October 2026 and March 2027.

If you've got a traditional (not smart) prepayment meter then we'll send you a top-up voucher to redeem.

Will I still get the Warm Home Discount if I switch supplier?

If you're in the Core group:

The company that supplied your electricity on 23 August 2026 is responsible for giving you the discount, even if you’re now with another supplier. If we were your supplier and you've now left us, you’ll normally get this as part of your final bill or either a cheque/cash voucher which can be cashed at the Post Office. If you still have a balance left to pay, we’ll put the discount onto your account to help you pay this off.

If you're in the Broader group:

If you switch electricity supplier before we’ve given you the Warm Home Discount, you’ll need to contact your new supplier and see if you can apply with them instead, as their criteria may be different. Unfortunately, applications can’t be transferred between suppliers, so you’ll need to make a new application with your new supplier. We won't be able to give you the discount unless your electricity is supplied by us at the time we make the payment.

What happens if I move house?

If you're in the Core group:

As long as we were your supplier on 23 August 2026, you'll still get the Warm Home Discount from us. If you still have a balance left to pay, we’ll put the discount onto your account to help you pay it off. If you’ve nothing left to pay you will receive it as part of your final bill or , we’ll send you either a cheque/cash voucher which can be cashed at the Post Office. Please make sure you give us your new address, so we know where to send your cheque/cash voucher.

If you're in the Broader group:

As your Warm Home Discount application's linked to the address and account number on your application, if you move house before the payment is made, your application will be closed.

How can I find out what benefits I receive?

To find out what benefits you’re currently receiving, you can contact the Pensions Service or Jobcentre Plus. We can only offer the Warm Home Discount if the electricity account holder or their partner receives the qualifying benefits. Unfortunately, if you don’t receive any benefits then you aren’t eligible for the scheme.