Could You Get £150 Towards Your Energy Bill?
The Warm Home Discount helps some households with their energy costs.
If you qualify, you get:
£150 towards your energy bill
However, the rules depend on where you live.
They are different in Scotland from those in England and Wales. The scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland.
So, it is important to check the rules that apply to you.
What Is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a yearly energy bill discount.
It is designed to help households on a low income or at greater risk of fuel poverty.
For winter 2026–27, the discount remains:
£150
The scheme has also been extended until 2031. Therefore, it is not just a one-year programme.
However, you need to qualify each year.
Is the £150 Paid Into Your Bank Account?
Usually, no.
The discount is normally added to your energy account.
So, if your electricity account receives the discount, you should see:
£150 credit
This then reduces the amount you need to pay for energy.
In some cases, you can ask for the discount to be put towards your gas account instead. Normally, the same supplier must provide both your gas and electricity.
What If You Have a Prepayment Meter?
You can still get the Warm Home Discount.
Your supplier may add the credit to your account. However, some prepayment customers may receive a voucher instead.
If you receive a voucher, follow the instructions from your supplier.
Depending on the supplier, you may need to use it at a Post Office or PayPoint.
Also, do not leave the voucher unused.
Check whether it has an expiry date.
The Rules Are Different in Scotland
This is particularly important.
From 2026–27, Scotland continues to have two main routes to the £150 discount:
Core Group
and
Broader Group
However, the Scottish Core Group has been expanded from 2026–27.
As a result, more eligible households should be found automatically.
Let’s look at both groups.
Scotland: Core Group
The Core Group is the automatic part of the Scottish scheme.
For 2026–27, it covers people receiving certain benefits, although some benefits have extra conditions attached.
The benefits include:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
The exact conditions depend on the benefit you receive.
Most people who qualify through the Core Group should be found through government data.
Therefore, they should not need to make a normal application.
What If the Government Cannot Match Your Details?
Automatic does not always mean that nothing can go wrong.
For example, the information held about your benefit and energy account may not match correctly.
If the government cannot confirm your eligibility automatically, you may be contacted and asked for more information.
Therefore, do not ignore a letter about the Warm Home Discount.
You may need to provide information before the £150 can be paid.
Scotland: Broader Group
Scotland also has a Broader Group.
This provides another route to the £150 discount for some low-income households.
However, there is an important difference:
You need to apply.
Applications are made through your energy supplier.
Also, suppliers can have their own extra rules for deciding who qualifies.
Therefore, if you do not qualify automatically, it can still be worth checking with your supplier.
Who Might Qualify Through the Broader Group?
The Broader Group can include people receiving certain benefits.
These include:
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefit
However, receiving one of these benefits does not always mean that you will automatically receive the discount.
Your supplier’s rules also matter.
Therefore:
Check rather than assume.
Do Not Leave a Scottish Application Too Late
This is particularly important for the Broader Group.
The amount of help available through this part of the scheme is limited.
So, if you need to apply through your supplier, do it as early as possible after applications open.
Do not wait until the end of winter.
The Warm Home Discount scheme for 2026–27 is due to reopen in October 2026.
What About England and Wales?
The system is simpler in England and Wales.
For 2026–27, households may qualify if the person named on the electricity bill, or their partner, receives a qualifying means-tested benefit on the qualifying date.
These include:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
Eligible households are normally identified automatically.
Therefore, unlike Scotland’s Broader Group, there is not normally a separate application to your supplier.
What About Northern Ireland?
The Warm Home Discount does not operate in Northern Ireland.
However, other help is available.
For example, Northern Ireland has the Affordable Warmth Scheme.
Therefore, if you live in Northern Ireland, look at the support available there rather than applying for the Warm Home Discount.
Does Your Energy Supplier Need to Take Part?
Yes, your supplier needs to be part of the scheme for you to receive the discount through it.
Most larger suppliers take part.
This includes many well-known companies such as British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, OVO, ScottishPower, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.
However, supplier lists can change.
Therefore, check the current list if you are unsure.
What If You Change Energy Supplier?
Be careful if you are expecting the Warm Home Discount and decide to switch.
For the Core Group, the supplier you were with on the qualifying date will normally be responsible for paying the discount if you qualified.
Therefore, make sure your old supplier still has your correct contact details.
In Scotland, switching can need even more thought if you are applying through the Broader Group.
Your new supplier must take part in the scheme. Also, you need to meet that supplier’s rules.
So, before switching, check what will happen to your Warm Home Discount.
What If You Think You Qualify but Get Nothing?
Do not assume that no discount means you were not eligible.
First, check which route applies to you.
If you should be in the Core Group but have not received the expected information, check the current Warm Home Discount guidance.
You may need to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline.
However, if you are applying through Scotland’s Broader Group, contact your energy supplier instead.
Warm Home Discount Does Not Stop Other Help
Receiving the Warm Home Discount does not mean you cannot get other energy support.
Depending on your circumstances, you may also qualify for:
- Winter heating support
- Energy grants
- Supplier help
- Fuel vouchers
- Fuel Bank support
- Help with energy debt
Therefore, think of the Warm Home Discount as one part of the support available.
Do not stop checking simply because you receive the £150.
A Simple Check
If you think you may qualify, follow these steps.
1. Check where you live
The rules differ between Scotland and England or Wales.
2. Check your benefits
Your benefits can affect which group you fall into.
3. Check whose name is on the electricity bill
This can affect eligibility.
4. Check whether your supplier takes part
This is especially important in Scotland.
5. Find out whether your discount should be automatic
If it is, look out for information about the payment.
6. If you need to apply, act early
In Scotland, Broader Group customers apply through their supplier.
In Short
The Warm Home Discount provides:
£150 towards your energy bill
However, the way you qualify depends on where you live.
In Scotland, many eligible households will now receive the discount through the automatic Core Group.
However, Scotland also keeps the Broader Group.
If you qualify through that route:
You need to apply through your energy supplier.
Therefore, do not assume the £150 will automatically appear.
Check which group applies to you.
Then, take action if you need to.
The scheme is due to reopen for winter 2026–27 in October 2026.
Next: Winter Heating Payments and Other Help →
Energility
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