State pensioners are set for an “automatic” £150 boost to help with energy bill costs as the weather gets colder.
The Warm Home Discount scheme, provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), applies directly to the electricity bills of vulnerable households whose energy suppliers participate in the programme.
The scheme began in October, with payments starting in November. Most eligible households should have received a confirmation letter by now, detailing their entitlement.
Rather than being paid as cash, the discount is automatically deducted from electricity bills. However, the timing of the discount varies depending on the energy provider, with the final deadline for payments set for March 2025.
Households should remain alert, as some may need to claim the discount if they believe they qualify but have not received it. In such cases, additional information may need to be shared with the DWP.
The DWP said: “If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2025.”
Those needing to supply further details must contact the helpline by February 28, 2025, to ensure they receive their payment.
Despite last year’s changes to the eligibility criteria of the Winter Fuel Payment, the Government pledged continued support for Warm Home Discount.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
Those who live in England and Wales can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
Low-income benefits that may be eligible include Universal Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, and Tax Credits.
People living in Scotland can qualify if their energy provider is part of the scheme and they either:
Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 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 the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
If a person’s electricity supplier stops trading, they may still be eligible for the discount.
A statement on GOV.UK reads: “Ofgem will appoint a new supplier for you. Check with your new supplier if you’re eligible for the discount.”
