Warm Home Discount 2026/27: what it is and who qualifies

Last reviewed: 12^th  October 2026

As the colder months are approaching, your bills may be on top of your priorities to worry about. With increasing prices and higher usage of heating, getting help with your winter energy costs can make a real difference. Discover everything you need to know about the Warm Home Discount. This guide covers who currently qualifies for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year, how the discount is applied, and what to do if it does not arrive automatically.

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount applied directly to an electricity bill by the household's electricity supplier. It is not a cash payment and the money does not arrive in a bank account, instead it reduces the amount on your electricity bill. If you have a dual-fuel account, your supplier may be able to apply the discount to your gas bill instead in some circumstances. Check with your supplier to find out how the discount can be applied.

Receiving it does not affect eligibility for the Cold Weather Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment, since these are separate schemes.

The scheme is not available in Northern Ireland, which runs its own separate Affordable Warmth scheme instead. 

When does the 2026/27 scheme open?

According to GOV.UK, the scheme reopens in October 2026 for the 2026/27 scheme year. 

Eligibility for this scheme year is assessed against a qualifying date of 23 August 2026, meaning a household's circumstances on that date determine whether they qualify, even though payments are not applied until later in the scheme year.

Who qualifies in England and Wales?

A household in England or Wales may be eligible if, on the qualifying date, all of the following apply:

• The electricity supplier is part of the scheme
• You or your partner receives a qualifying means-tested benefit
• Your name (or your partner's) is on the electricity bill

The qualifying benefits for England and Wales are:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit

Households that qualify this way are described by GOV.UK as being in the "core group." If eligible, the electricity supplier applies the discount automatically; there is no need to apply separately in England or Wales.

Who qualifies in Scotland?

Scotland uses the same overall qualifying date and general conditions (supplier participation, a qualifying benefit, and the bill being in the applicant's or partner's name), but splits eligibility into two groups:

Automatic (core group): the discount is applied automatically if the applicant or their partner:

• Receives Pension Credit
• Receives an extra amount of Universal Credit because they or their child has a disability or health condition
• Receives a disability premium or a pensioner premium of income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Receives a disability premium or a pensioner premium and has a Support for Mortgage Interest loan

It is also applied automatically if the applicant or their partner is responsible for a child under 5 who normally lives with them, and they are unemployed and receive Universal Credit, receive income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.

Apply directly (broader group): anyone who does not qualify automatically needs to apply directly to their electricity supplier, who may have their own extra eligibility criteria and can confirm which benefits qualify.

Which suppliers are a part of the scheme?

The suppliers included in the scheme may change every year, you should always check the current list for updated information. 

How is the discount actually applied?

For most eligible households, the discount is applied automatically to the electricity account as a credit, without needing to contact the supplier. If you use a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter, you can still qualify. Your supplier will tell you how the discount will be delivered, which may include a voucher to top up your meter.

If you have a dual-fuel account, your supplier may be able to apply the discount to your gas bill instead of your electricity bill in some circumstances. Contact your supplier to find out whether this is possible.

What if the discount does not arrive?

If you believe you qualify for the Warm Home Discount but do not receive it automatically, check that your electricity supplier is part of the scheme and that the name on your electricity bill matches the person receiving the qualifying benefit or their partner.

In Scotland, households that are not eligible for automatic payment may need to apply directly to their electricity supplier. Your supplier can confirm whether you meet its criteria and explain how to apply.

If you receive a letter telling you to provide additional information to confirm your eligibility, follow the instructions in the letter.

If you are still unsure about your eligibility or have not received a discount you believe you should have received, GOV.UK provides further guidance and support.

What about Park homes?

If you live in a park home, you apply for the Warm Home Discount through a different route via Charis Grants rather than directly through your electricity supplier.

The park home scheme has its own eligibility rules and application window and closes once its allocated funding has been spent.

Compare your tariff

Even though a discount is beneficial, it is worth checking if you are on the best tariff. You could save more on your next energy bill by comparing your options.

Frequently asked questions