This winter sees the expansion of the Warm Home Discount scheme for vulnerable households worth £150 to 2.7 million more people.
The Warm Home Discount is a Government scheme that gives eligible households £150 towards their energy costs every year. It was already paid to millions of households in England, Scotland and Wales.
The £150 is typically deducted from your electricity bill, but you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead, as long as your supplier provides both your gas and electricity.
The UK Government’s Warm Home Discount resumes in October, with many pensioners automatically having a rebate applied to their bills.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount?
There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme depending on where you live.
There's one scheme for England and Wales, and a different scheme for Scotland. In England and Wales, most should now get it automatically.
If you live in England and Wales, you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
- are on a low income and have high energy costs
The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. Find out about the Affordable Warmth scheme.
The expansion of the Warm Home Discount will mean three million more families will receive support for their energy bills at a time that we know people desperately need it. pic.twitter.com/69YGxcMwK4
— Miatta Fahnbulleh (@Miatsf) July 15, 2025
What counts as a low income for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
You may be eligible if all of the following applied on 11 August 2024:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits
- your property has a high energy cost score based on its characteristics
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill
Qualifying benefits and tax credits
The qualifying means-tested benefits are:
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get either:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
Your property must have a high energy cost score to be eligible for the scheme. This is not based on the actual energy costs in your energy bill. It’s calculated based on your property’s type, age and floor area.
There's more information about that on gov.uk.
Warm Home Discount changes for people in Scotland
If you're in Scotland, many low-income families will have to apply for the rebate, which is made on a first-come, first-served basis.
Advice Direct Scotland, which runs energy saving website energyadvice.scot, has said eligible individuals should check with their energy suppliers to help them receive support.
Really annoys me that I'm having to apply each year for the Warm Home Discount simply because I live in Scotland. I get qualifying benefits and yet the agencies in charge just don't talk to each other and have to apply to the energy provider.
— Heike and Dino (@MissHeikeTweets) September 8, 2025
The consumer advice service has warned this winter will be particularly tough for Scots heating their homes, with the price cap set to rise on October 1, meaning the average annual price will rise by about £35 per home when compared with last year.
Jillian Edmund, energy project lead at Advice Direct Scotland, says: “Households across Scotland are facing high energy bills this winter, and this £150 support can make a real difference for families on tighter budgets.
“It’s important to check whether you’re entitled to any help and apply as early as possible.
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“If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, look out for a letter telling you when the payment will be applied. Others on certain benefits or low incomes should contact their supplier to see if they qualify.
“If you’re at all unsure or need assistance, our team is ready to guide you through the process. Visit energyadvice.scot or call 0808 196 8660 for free, confidential advice and support.”
What about people who live in park homes or have someone else on their bill?
Some energy suppliers may also extend the discount to additional customers, and park home residents paying site owners for electricity can apply through a separate scheme.
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