A £150 discount for eligible households
The Warm Home Discount provides a one-off £150 discount1 on your electricity bill, or as credit to your prepayment meter, for eligible low-income households in England and Wales. This scheme is designed to offer support during the colder months, helping to ease the financial pressure of energy costs.
Key dates and geographical scope
The scheme typically reopens in October each year, with payments made by 31 March of the following year. It is specifically for eligible households in England and Wales. The eligibility criteria and scheme dates are set by the government annually, so it's important to check the latest information for each winter period.
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount is primarily for low-income households. For most, the discount is applied automatically based on benefits received on a specific 'qualifying day'.
Core group 1: automatic payments
If you are in Core Group 1, you will usually receive the discount automatically. This group typically includes those who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. The government identifies eligible households based on their benefits on a specific qualifying day, which for winter 2026 to 2027 was 23 August 2026.
Core group 2: park home residents and applications
Unlike Core Group 1, park home residents must apply for the Warm Home Discount. You may qualify if you are a permanent resident in a park home in England, Scotland, or Wales, pay for your electricity directly to your site owner, and receive certain benefits or have a low income. The payment for 2026/27 is £150.
Qualifying day and benefits
The qualifying day is a crucial date, typically in August, on which your eligibility for certain benefits is assessed. For the Warm Home Discount, these benefits can include Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support. Your electricity supplier must also be part of the scheme. You can learn more about managing your household finances by understanding your energy bill.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, the discount is applied directly to your energy account.
Direct to your electricity bill
For most customers, the £150 discount is applied directly to your electricity bill. This means you will see a £150 credit on your statement, reducing the total amount you owe.
Prepayment meter customers
If you have a prepayment meter, the £150 discount will be added as credit to your meter. This typically happens automatically, allowing you to use the credit for your electricity usage.
If you believe you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount but haven't received it by 31 March, there are steps you can take.
Check your eligibility again
First, re-verify your eligibility criteria. Ensure you were receiving the correct benefits on the qualifying day and that your electricity supplier participates in the scheme. The government's website provides the most up-to-date information on eligibility.
Contact your energy supplier
If your eligibility is confirmed, contact your energy supplier directly. They can investigate the status of your discount and help resolve any issues. Keep any correspondence or reference numbers handy.
Warm Home Discount scheme helpline
If your supplier cannot resolve the issue, or if you are a park home resident needing to apply, you can contact the Warm Home Discount scheme helpline for further assistance. They can provide guidance on your specific situation.
Beyond the Warm Home Discount, several other government and charity schemes can help with energy costs.
Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual one-off payment of between £100 and £300 to help people of State Pension age with their heating bills. For winter 2026 to 2027, you are eligible if born before 28 June 1960. This payment covers England and Wales only. From winter 2025/26, it was made universal again for those over State Pension age in England and Wales, but if your total taxable income is over £35,000 a year, HMRC will recover the full amount via your tax code or Self Assessment. Most people receive it automatically in November or December, but a claim may be needed by a minority. The deadline for claims for winter 2026/27 is 31 March 2027.
Cold Weather payment
The Cold Weather Payment is a one-off payment for each qualifying cold spell, paid to people on certain benefits when the average temperature in their area is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for 7 consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March. Eligibility depends on the specific benefits you receive. You can find out more about how your meter works by reading about how to read your energy meter.
Grants and debt advice
Many energy suppliers offer hardship funds for their customers. Organisations like the British Gas Energy Trust offer grants to anyone, regardless of their supplier, to help clear energy debt. Debt advice is often a prerequisite for these grants.
Fuse Energy is committed to making energy simple and transparent. We provide clear pricing and real-time usage data through our app, helping you understand and manage your energy consumption. Our 24/7 human customer support is always available to provide guidance on your energy bills and general questions about government support schemes. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and take control of your energy. You can also learn more about our mission to provide abundant, clean energy by clicking here.
