State pensioners across the UK are being urged to make one check on their energy bill before Sunday, August 24, to automatically receive a £150 payment.
The UK government has expanded its Warm Home Discount Scheme this year to cover more than six million households, but some may miss out on the support if their electricity details aren’t updated in time. In England and Wales, households will automatically qualify for the £150 discount if they are receiving one of six means-tested benefits and are named on their electricity bill, either in their own name, their partner’s name, or their legal representative.
The qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit) and Universal Credit.
In Scotland, households receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit will usually receive the discount automatically, providing they are named on their bill. Other households on means-tested benefits will need to apply for the discount directly through their energy supplier from October.
Pension specialists at Spencer Churchill Claims Advice are urging pensioners and low-income households to make sure they are named on their electricity bill before this Sunday’s deadline to ensure they receive the discount this winter.
A spokesperson said: “It’s absolutely crucial that people, particularly older pensioners, check they are named on their electricity bill ahead of the 24 August deadline.
“If their name isn’t on the account – for example, if they’ve recently moved or the bill is still in a partner’s name – they could miss out on an automatic discount and face delays in receiving help.
“We continue to see pensioners disproportionately impacted by rising household bills, as they tend to spend more time at home and need to maintain a consistent level of heating.
“Schemes like this provide essential support, but we would encourage pensioners to also review other entitlements such as Pension Credit, Winter Fuel Payments and Council Tax support to ensure they are not missing out on additional help.”
After the August 24 deadline, eligible households will still be able to receive the £150 discount, but they will need to wait for a letter to arrive later this year. If they have not received a letter by January 2026, then they will need to call the helpline.
If you have recently moved house or changed supplier then you might not be named on your electricity bill, so it’s vital to check your details are up to date. Having the eligible person named on the electricity bill will help ensure households receive the discount automatically.
According to the government, 96% of eligible households last winter received their discount automatically through this route, making it the easiest and quickest way for the overwhelming majority of households.
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.
Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh said: “We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter.
“I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill, putting more money in their pockets as part of our Plan for Change.
“If you know someone who might be eligible – please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.”
