Britons are being encouraged to check whether they qualify for money off their energy bills this winter, with 28 suppliers providing financial assistance. Through the Warm Home Discount scheme, eligible households receive £150 towards their energy costs annually.
The scheme is accessible to six million households across England, Scotland and Wales.
Financial experts at Money Saving Expert – the website established by Martin Lewis – outlined how the discount operates: “The £150 is typically deducted from your electricity bill, but you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead, as long as your supplier provides both your gas and electricity.”
You’ll need to contact your supplier to find out if the discount can be applied to your gas bill instead. There’s one scheme for England and Wales and a different scheme for Scotland.
“In England and Wales, most should now get it automatically. But if you’re in Scotland, some will need to apply.
“Energy suppliers open their application process in September or October. Similarly, if you live in a park home, you’ll also need to apply.
“There is no equivalent scheme in Northern Ireland, but see our Northern Ireland energy guide for other support you can get and tips for cutting your bills.”
Following a “shake-up” of the Warm Home Discount scheme this year, all households in England and Wales receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit should receive the discount automatically. This applies provided your supplier participates in the scheme.
Are you eligible?
The first step is to check if your supplier is part of the scheme. Currently, 28 suppliers offer the discount:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox Energy
- OVO
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Square 1 Energy Ltd
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Tulo Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
Who qualifies?
MSE says that if you’re in England or Wales, you should automatically receive it if you were named on your electricity account or bill on August 24, 2025 (the qualifying date for the payment) and received one of the following means-tested benefits:
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
According to MSE, eligible individuals should receive a letter by early January 2026 confirming this. The letter will also indicate whether you’ll get it automatically, or if you need to provide more information.
However, be cautious of scams. If you require assistance, or haven’t received your letter by early January and believe you’re eligible, you can contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. You must reach out to the helpline by February 28, 2026.
If you’re a resident of Scotland, it’s likely that you’ll need to apply for the discount. For further details on this, visit the MSE website.
When and how will I receive the £150?
According to Money Saving Expert, the method of receiving the discount depends on your electricity payment method. However, irrespective of your payment method, the £150 is typically applied as a discount on your bill, not as a cash payment.
If you have a standard credit or smart prepayment meter, the £150 should be automatically credited to your electricity account between October 2025 and March 2026, provided you were named on your electricity account or bill by the qualifying date (24 August 2025).
For those with a traditional prepayment meter, a top-up voucher should be sent to you via post, email or text, although some may receive a cheque. The voucher must be redeemed within 90 days, but if lost or expired, your supplier can reissue it.
MSE stated: “You’ll need to redeem the voucher at the Post Office or a PayPoint shop. In most cases, you’ll need proof of identity, such as your passport or driving licence.”
For more information, visit the Government website.
