The Warm Home Discount can take £150 off your energy bill if you qualify.
The scheme is provided through your electricity supplier. So, if you think you may qualify, check with your electricity supplier as early as possible.
This is important because the rules and application process can vary depending on where you live and which electricity supplier you use.
Do not wait until winter is well underway. Check with your electricity supplier early and ask whether you need to do anything.
The scheme covers England, Wales and Scotland. However, the rules are not the same everywhere.
For winter 2026/27, the scheme reopens in October 2026.
How Much Is the Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is £150.
It is provided through your electricity supplier and is normally taken off your electricity bill.
However, if the same company supplies both your electricity and gas, you may be able to ask for the discount to be applied to your gas bill instead.
You do not usually receive the £150 as money paid into your bank account.
The discount is given once for each scheme year.
Check With Your Supplier Early
If you think you may qualify, check with your electricity supplier early.
Your electricity supplier is important because it is the supplier responsible for providing the Warm Home Discount.
Do this even if you have received the discount before.
The rules can change from year to year. Also, eligibility and application arrangements can differ depending on where you live and which electricity supplier you use.
Your electricity supplier can tell you:
- whether it takes part in the scheme
- whether you may qualify
- whether you need to apply
- when applications open, if you need to apply
- what information or evidence you may need
- how you will receive the discount
Do not assume that your electricity supplier will use exactly the same process as another supplier.
Also, do not assume that the process will be the same as it was last year.
Checking early gives you more time to apply, provide information or deal with any problems.
Who Can Get It?
The rules depend partly on where you live.
There are different arrangements for:
- England and Wales
- Scotland
Northern Ireland does not use the Warm Home Discount scheme.
So, first check the rules for your part of the UK.
Then check with your electricity supplier to find out what applies to you and whether you need to do anything.
England and Wales
For winter 2026/27, you may qualify if all of these applied on 23 August 2026:
- your electricity supplier was part of the scheme
- you or your partner received a qualifying means-tested benefit
- you or your partner was named on the electricity bill
Qualifying benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
Many people who qualify will get the discount automatically.
However, do not simply assume that you will receive it.
If you think you qualify, check with your electricity supplier early.
This is especially important if you have recently:
- moved home
- changed electricity supplier
- changed the name on your electricity account
- had a change in your benefits
Checking early gives you time to find out whether anything needs to be corrected.
Scotland
The rules are different in Scotland.
Some people can get the discount automatically.
Other people may need to apply through their electricity supplier.
So, if you live in Scotland, it is particularly important to contact your electricity supplier early.
Ask:
- whether you may qualify
- whether you need to apply
- when applications open
- what eligibility criteria apply
- whether places or funding are limited
- what information you need to provide
Different electricity suppliers can have different requirements for parts of the scheme.
So, do not rely on information about another supplier. Check directly with the electricity supplier that provides your electricity.
What About Northern Ireland?
The Warm Home Discount does not operate in Northern Ireland.
Different help is available there.
So, if you live in Northern Ireland, check the current energy support schemes instead.
Does My Electricity Supplier Take Part?
Your electricity supplier must take part in the Warm Home Discount scheme for you to receive the discount through it.
Many electricity suppliers take part, but do not assume that yours does.
Check with your electricity supplier and ask whether it is taking part in the 2026/27 scheme.
Also ask whether you need to do anything to receive the discount.
This is particularly important where an application is required, as the criteria and application process can differ between electricity suppliers.
What If I Have a Prepayment Meter?
You can still qualify if you pay for your electricity using a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter.
However, the way you receive the discount may be different.
For example, your electricity supplier may provide a voucher or another way of adding the £150 to your account or meter.
If you qualify, ask your electricity supplier how you will receive the discount.
Can It Go on My Gas Bill?
The Warm Home Discount is provided through your electricity supplier and is normally applied to your electricity bill.
However, if the same company supplies both your electricity and gas, you may be able to ask for the discount to be put towards your gas bill instead.
Your electricity supplier still provides the Warm Home Discount.
Ask your electricity supplier whether it can transfer the discount to your gas account.
What If I Switch Supplier?
Be careful about switching electricity supplier around the qualifying date.
For people who qualify automatically, the electricity supplier you were with on the qualifying date can affect which supplier is responsible for providing your discount.
So, if you switch and are expecting the Warm Home Discount, keep details of:
- your previous electricity supplier
- your previous account number
- the date you switched
If you are unsure which electricity supplier should provide your discount, contact the suppliers involved rather than waiting until the end of winter.
When Will I Get It?
For winter 2026/27, the scheme reopens in October 2026.
Eligible households will then start to receive their discounts.
The exact timing can vary.
So, somebody else receiving their discount before you does not necessarily mean there is a problem.
However, if you think you should receive the Warm Home Discount, check with your electricity supplier rather than waiting until the end of winter.
What If I Think I Qualify?
Contact your electricity supplier early.
Check that:
- your electricity supplier takes part in the scheme
- you meet the relevant eligibility rules
- the electricity account is in the correct name
- your benefit details are correct
- your electricity supplier has the information it needs
- you know whether you need to apply
If you live in Scotland, it is especially important to check whether you need to apply and when applications open.
Do not wait until the end of winter to investigate.
What If I Do Not Get the Discount?
If you think you qualify but the discount does not appear, contact your electricity supplier and ask it to check your account.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also need to contact the Warm Home Discount service.
Keep any letters, emails or messages about your eligibility.
Also check your electricity bill or online account to see whether the £150 discount has already been added.
Does It Affect Other Winter Help?
Getting the Warm Home Discount does not necessarily stop you getting other help with winter energy costs if you qualify.
Different schemes have their own eligibility rules.
So, check what other support may be available to you.
Next: Winter Heating Payments and Other Help →
Check Every Year
Do not assume that getting the Warm Home Discount one year means you will always get it.
Your circumstances can change.
The scheme rules can change too.
Your electricity supplier’s requirements may also change.
So, check with your electricity supplier early each year, even if you received the discount before.
Key Points
- The Warm Home Discount is £150 for winter 2026/27.
- The discount is provided through your electricity supplier.
- It is normally applied to your electricity bill.
- If the same company supplies your gas and electricity, you may be able to have the discount applied to your gas bill instead.
- Your electricity supplier must take part in the scheme.
- The rules differ across Great Britain.
- Many eligible households in England and Wales receive the discount automatically.
- Some people in Scotland may need to apply through their electricity supplier.
- Eligibility and application arrangements can differ between electricity suppliers.
- Prepayment customers can also qualify.
- Check with your electricity supplier early rather than waiting until later in the winter.
If you think you may qualify, contact the company that supplies your electricity and check the current rules that apply to you.
Important Information
Energility provides general information to help you understand energy, household and business costs, services and ways to save money. It is not financial, legal, tax, technical or professional advice.
Prices, tariffs, grants, government schemes, regulations and other information can change. Costs, savings and calculator results are estimates and your actual results may be different.
Before making an important financial decision, signing a contract or carrying out significant work, check the latest information and consider getting advice from a suitably qualified professional where needed.
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Next: Winter Heating Payments and Other Help →
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