Eligibility changed for winter 2026/27. The rules have been widened and are now based on receiving certain means-tested benefits and the home's energy costs, rather than the old Core Group and Broader Group lists. Many eligible households are matched and paid automatically, but some must apply. Check the current rules and the date you need to act by on gov.uk or with your supplier.
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that requires participating energy suppliers to provide a one-off discount of £150 on the electricity bills of eligible households each winter. The discount is applied directly to your electricity account - it is not a cash payment and cannot be transferred to a different account or supplier.
The scheme runs from October to March each year, with most payments applied between October and January. It covers electricity bills only - not gas bills - although for prepayment customers it is applied as credit to the electricity meter.
The scheme is mandatory for all energy suppliers with more than 150,000 domestic customers. Smaller suppliers may also participate voluntarily. If your current supplier does not participate in the scheme, you cannot access the discount through them, even if you would otherwise qualify.
Unlike most energy grants, the Warm Home Discount does not fund home improvements - it is a direct bill reduction. If you are looking for funding for insulation or heating upgrades, ECO4 (ending 31 December 2026) or the Warm Homes: Local Grant may be more relevant.
For winter 2026/27 the rules were widened. Eligibility is based mainly on receiving certain means-tested benefits and on the energy costs of your home. Many households are matched automatically using government data.
The exact benefits and thresholds can change from year to year, so check the current criteria on gov.uk. If you are eligible you may receive a letter from your supplier or the government, and some households need to apply or confirm details with their supplier.
If you have a prepayment electricity meter, the £150 discount is applied as credit to your meter rather than as a bill reduction. Your supplier will typically notify you when the credit has been added and may send a voucher or apply it automatically depending on your meter type.
The Warm Home Discount has a fixed budget and time-limited windows, so act promptly once you know you may be eligible. If you think you qualify but have not heard from your supplier or the government by the winter, contact them directly - you may have been missed due to a data matching issue.