Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 off your electricity bill each winter for households on certain benefits. It does not pay for insulation.
- £150
- taken off your electricity bill
- 23 August 2026
- the date that counts for 2026/27
- 31 March 2027
- credit added by
Who gets the Warm Home Discount
People in England or Wales get the Warm Home Discount when they or a partner received one of these on 23 August 2026:
- Getting Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Getting Housing Benefit
- Employment and Support Allowance (the income-related one)
About 2.7 million more households became eligible, which means almost 6 million can get it now. The scheme doesn't operate in Northern Ireland. You can read the rules on GOV.UK.
Warm Home Discount dates for 2026/27
| What happens | When |
|---|---|
| Your circumstances are checked on | 23 August 2026 |
| Letters go out | Late October 2026 to early January 2027 |
| Phone the helpline, if your letter tells you to, by | 26 February 2027 |
| Your supplier applies the £150, by | 31 March 2027 |
GOV.UK is where these dates come from.
The Warm Home Discount scheme in Scotland
In Scotland, the discount arrives automatically if Pension Credit is paid to you or a partner. It also comes that way with certain disability or pensioner extras paid under Universal Credit, or under income-related ESA. Some other households may fall into the broader group, and joining it means applying to your electricity supplier. Each supplier has a limited number to give out, so get your application in early. Details are on GOV.UK's Scotland page.
The money goes toward this winter's bill. Use the insulation grant checker to see which scheme can insulate your home and bring bills down for good. Often, the same benefits will qualify you for it.
Common questions about the Warm Home Discount
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
In England and Wales, usually not: it is applied automatically if you qualify. In Scotland, people outside the automatic group apply to their supplier.
Can I get it on a prepayment meter?
Yes. Prepayment customers can still qualify. Your supplier tells you how you get it, for example a voucher to top up the meter.
Is the Warm Home Discount paid in cash?
No. It is a £150 credit on your electricity bill, not money paid to you.
Is it available in Northern Ireland?
No. The Warm Home Discount covers England, Scotland and Wales only.