Warm Home Discount scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme is a Government led programme offering support to households who are in, or at risk of, fuel poverty.
The Government make the decisions on how much you’ll get and who qualifies.
Please be aware of potential scams related to the Warm Home Discount.
Check the FAQ’s at the end of this page for more information.
The payment for this year is £150.
What to expect?
England & Wales
If you or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits then you may be eligible for a payment under the ‘Core Group’. If you are in the Core Group, the Government will write to you between mid-October and mid-December advising that you qualify for the credit. The letter will also advise what you need to do next to receive the discount.
If you haven’t received a letter by late-December then please call the Department of Work and Pensions Warm Home Discount Helpline on 0800 030 9322 to see if you’re eligible. This number opens in mid-October and closes at the end of March.
PLEASE NOTE that the last day to claim the credit is on the last working day of February.
You can find out full information about the scheme on the government’s Warm Home Discount website: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Scotland
If you live in Scotland, the Warm Home Discount works differently to England and Wales. For Scotland, there is a Core Group and a Broader Group. Under the Core Group, if you or your partner are in receipt of certain benefits, the Government will write to you between mid-October and mid-December advising if you qualify for the credit. Full details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/if-you-live-in-scotland
The letter will also advise what you need to do next to receive the discount. For the Broader Group, if you are on a low income and in receipt of certain eligible benefits then you can make an application. The application form isn’t currently open.
How the scheme works
Core Group customers in England and Wales, and Core Group customers in Scotland
The Government works out which customers should receive the Warm Home Discount payment, and they advise suppliers to make the payment to them. Full details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
They will write to you between mid-October and mid-December to let you know if you will be receiving the credit.
Some customers will be advised that they will receive the payment automatically; some customers will be advised that they are eligible for the credit but need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions Warm Home Discount Helpline to claim the payment. Your letter will advise if you need to take any action. Please read it carefully.
For scheme year 2026/27, you’ll need to have been receiving qualifying benefits on the qualification date of 23rd August 2026 in order to be eligible for the scheme.
For scheme year 2026/27, whichever supplier you were with on the 23rd August 2026 is the one that will make the payment to you. If the government has confirmed that you are due to receive the credit and you weren’t with Utility Warehouse on the 23rd August 2026, then please contact the supplier that you were with on that date.
The government makes the final decision on whether you are eligible or not. Any queries about their decision can be made by speaking to the Department of Work and Pensions Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. This isn’t something that we’re able to do on your behalf. Please note that this number opens in mid-October and closes at the end of March. After this time you can write to the Department of Work and Pensions WHD team. Please click here for full details: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/get-help
A full explanation of the qualification process, qualification criteria and an eligibility checker are available on the Government website: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Payments are made between October and the end of March.
Broader Group Scotland
If you are on a low income and in receipt of certain benefits then you may qualify for the Broader Group.
Applications for the scheme can be made here. Please note that the application form opens around mid September and closes at the end of March.
Please note that we may ask you to provide documentary proof of the benefits that you are receiving. Please don’t provide this unless we ask for it.
Payments under the Broader Group are made by the end of March.
Frequently asked questions
The payments will be made between October and the end of March
If you have a prepayment meter and received your credit via a PayPoint voucher, you can redeem your vouchers at any PayPoint outlet. To find your nearest location please visit the PayPoint website.
If you’re having problems redeeming your voucher then please contact us on 0333 777 0777.
The Government is sending letters to eligible customers from mid-October until mid-December. If you haven’t received a letter by late-December please contact the Department of Work and Pensions Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 030 9322. You can also visit their website by clicking here.
The Government's helpline is open from mid-October until the last working day of March. The last day to claim the credit is the last working day of February.
If you are in Core Group 1, Core Group 2 or Core Group in Scotland, and changed supplier after 24th August 2025, the supplier you were with on that date is the supplier that will pay the credit to you.
Not all suppliers are part of the scheme. A full list of suppliers that are part of the scheme is available on the Government website.
If you live in the borders between England and Scotland, you may be unsure which scheme you fall under: the Scottish scheme, or the England and Wales scheme.
You can try using the ScotLis website which is Scotland’s Land Registry Service: https://scotlis.ros.gov.uk/search.
Alternatively you can apply on our Broader Group Scheme application to see if the postcode brings up your address.
If you have any queries about this then please give us a call on 0333 777 0777.
Please check the DWP website for the next steps to take if you didn’t receive the credit during the scheme year and think that you should have: www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/get-help
Please be aware of the following advice on potential Warm Home Discount scams:
Individuals will not be contacted by the UK Government or Ofgem asking for bank details.
Individuals should not look out for texts.
Individuals are advised not to click on links provided in suspicious texts or emails.
If individuals are eligible, individuals should look out for a physical letter by post between October and December 2026 confirming they will get £150 off their electricity bill. Physical letters will be sent by Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 970, PRESTON, PR2 0FX.
There is no need for individuals to apply for the Warm Home Discount scheme in England & Wales.
Individuals in Scotland and in receipt of certain benefits do not need to apply for the Warm Home Discount. Full details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/if-you-live-in-scotland