Warm Home Discount: How to Get £150 Off Your Energy Bill
The Warm Home Discount gives eligible households a £150 rebate on their electricity bill each winter. For 2025/26, the scheme has been expanded to cover approximately 6.1 million households, up from 3.4 million previously. If you receive qualifying benefits, you may get it automatically without applying. This guide explains who qualifies, how to check, and what to do if you do not receive it.
Who qualifies
There are two groups of eligible households.
Core Group 1: Pension Credit (automatic)
If you receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) and are named on your electricity bill, you get the £150 rebate automatically. You do not need to apply. Your energy supplier sends it directly to your account, usually between November and March. If you think you should have received it and have not, contact your supplier.
Core Group 2: Means-tested benefits (automatic for most)
From winter 2025/26, the scheme has been expanded. You now qualify if you receive any of the following benefits and are named on an electricity bill with a participating supplier:
| Qualifying benefit | Additional conditions |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | None (any amount) |
| Income-based JSA | None |
| Income-related ESA | None |
| Income Support | None |
| Housing Benefit | None |
| Child Tax Credit | Income under £16,385 |
| Working Tax Credit | Income under £16,385 |
| Pension Credit (Savings Credit only) | None |
Source: GOV.UK Warm Home Discount 2025/26. The "high cost to heat" threshold has been removed for 2025/26, meaning all benefit recipients on qualifying benefits are now eligible regardless of property energy costs.
Most Core Group 2 households are identified automatically through data matching between DWP and energy suppliers. You should receive a letter confirming your eligibility. If you do not receive a letter or rebate by February, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 731 0214.
You must be named on the electricity bill
The rebate is applied to your electricity account, not gas. If your partner receives the qualifying benefit but you are named on the bill (or vice versa), you may not be matched automatically. Contact the helpline to check.
How the rebate works
The £150 is credited directly to your electricity account. You do not receive cash. If you pay by direct debit, you will see the credit on your next statement. If you use a prepaid meter, the credit is applied to your meter. The rebate typically arrives between November and March. You receive it once per winter, not monthly.
Warm Home Discount vs other energy schemes
| Scheme | Value | What it covers | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | £150 bill rebate | Direct credit to electricity bill | Means-tested benefit recipients |
| ECO4 | Up to £10,000+ | Free insulation, heating upgrades | Benefit recipients, EPC D-G |
| GBIS | Free insulation | Loft or cavity wall insulation | Council Tax bands A-D, EPC D-G |
| BUS | £7,500 grant | Heat pump installation | Any homeowner |
| HUG2 | Up to £25,000 | Full retrofit for off-gas homes | Off-gas, low income, EPC D-G |
You can receive the Warm Home Discount AND qualify for ECO4, GBIS, BUS, or HUG2. They are not mutually exclusive.
The Warm Home Discount is a bill rebate, not a home improvement. If you want to permanently reduce your energy bills rather than receiving £150 once per year, look into insulation and heating upgrades through ECO4 (which can save £135 to £590 per year permanently). Use our grant eligibility checker to see everything you qualify for.
What if you are not eligible
If you do not receive qualifying benefits, you cannot get the Warm Home Discount. However, you can still reduce your energy bills through free or low-cost improvements. Draught-proofing (£30 to £100, saves £60 to £125/yr), loft insulation (£300 to £600, saves £135 to £355/yr), and switching to a better energy tariff (free, saves £100 to £600/yr) deliver ongoing savings that exceed the £150 rebate within months.
Track your energy usage with an energy monitor to identify where your money goes. Reduce draughts with draught excluder strips. Manage your heating more efficiently with a smart thermostat.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get the Warm Home Discount?
If you receive a qualifying benefit and are named on your electricity bill, you should get it automatically. No application needed for most people. Check with your supplier if you have not received it by February.
When is the Warm Home Discount paid?
Between November and March each winter. It is a one-off £150 credit to your electricity account, not a monthly payment.
Can I get the Warm Home Discount and ECO4?
Yes. They are separate schemes. The Warm Home Discount is a bill rebate. ECO4 provides free home improvements. You can receive both.
Data sources
Scheme details from GOV.UK. Expansion details from DESNZ consultation response. Energy prices from Ofgem Q1 2026 price cap.