The Warm Home Discount Core Group 2 provides a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill, automatically applied for most eligible households. This guide explains who qualifies for this support and what to expect, helping you understand how to manage winter energy costs.
Understanding schemes like the Warm Home Discount can help with your energy bills. Fuse Energy makes managing your home's energy straightforward, with clear pricing and support to help you stay on top of your usage. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme designed to help households that may struggle to pay their energy bills during the colder winter months. It provides a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill, or as credit to your prepayment meter, between October and March each year. The payment is applied directly to your energy account, reducing the amount you owe, rather than being paid out as cash^[1,2].
Core Group 1 vs Core Group 2
The Warm Home Discount scheme in England, Scotland, and Wales operates with two main eligibility groups. Core Group 1 typically covers those who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. Core Group 2, the focus of this guide, is for low-income households receiving specific benefits, and payments are typically automatic.
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Core Group 2 is determined by several factors, all assessed on a specific qualifying day in August.
Qualifying benefits
To be eligible for the Warm Home Discount Core Group 2, you must be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits on the specified August qualifying day:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
The qualifying date
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount Core Group 2 for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year is based on your circumstances on a specific qualifying day in August 2026. This means you must be receiving a qualifying benefit on that particular day to be considered eligible.
Other eligibility requirements
Beyond receiving a qualifying benefit, two other key requirements must be met:
- Name on the bill: Your name, or your partner's name, must be on your electricity bill.
- Supplier participation: Your energy supplier must be part of the Warm Home Discount scheme. Most major suppliers participate, but it is always worth checking if you are unsure.
The automatic payment process
For eligible Core Group 2 households, the payment process is automatic. The DWP identifies those who meet the criteria and contacts their energy supplier directly to apply the discount. This means you do not need to fill out any application forms.
When to expect the discount
The £150 discount is applied to your electricity account between October and March. Payments are typically completed by 31 March of the scheme year.
How the discount is applied
The £150 discount will be applied directly to your electricity bill. If you have a prepayment meter, the discount will be added as credit to your meter. It is not paid out as cash.
What if you do not receive a letter?
If you believe you are eligible for Core Group 2 but have not received confirmation, you should contact Citizens Advice or your energy supplier for guidance.
Support for park home residents
Residents of park homes may qualify for the Warm Home Discount under a separate scheme. This applies if their household income is below £20,328 a year, or if someone in the household receives a qualifying benefit. Unlike Core Group 2, this specific scheme for park home residents requires an application.
Key dates for the upcoming scheme year
The Warm Home Discount scheme operates annually. For the 2026 to 2027 scheme year, payments will be made between October 2026 and March 2027, with all discounts applied by 31 March 2027. Eligibility will again be based on a specific qualifying day in August 2026.
Where to find further support
For detailed information on the Warm Home Discount scheme, you can visit the UK Government's official website or Citizens Advice. For more general advice on managing your energy costs, you can explore various forms of energy bill support. If you or someone in your household needs extra help, consider joining the Priority Services Register. If you have questions about how the discount appears on your Fuse Energy bill, our 24/7 human customer support team is available to assist you.
Managing your energy bills should be clear and easy to understand. Fuse Energy focuses on straightforward pricing, so you can see exactly what you are paying without unnecessary complexity. If you have a smart meter, you can view detailed usage data through the app or website, helping you understand how you can lower your bills. Our 24/7 human support team is always on hand with fast response times whenever you need help. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today. Find out about our mission by clicking here.
