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 and Ofgem make the decisions on how much you’ll get and who qualifies. It is energy suppliers, like Utility Warehouse, that fund the scheme.

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 live in England or Wales and you’re eligible for the payment, you don’t need to make an application.

If you or your partner are in receipt of the Guaranteed part of Pension Credit (Core Group 1) or if you or your partner are on a low income (Core Group 2), then you may be eligible. If you are, the Government will write to you between late October and the end of November 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 mid-December then please call the Warm Home Discount Helpline on 0800 030 9322 to see if you’re eligible. This number opens in late-October and closes at the end of March.

You can also find out more information and an eligibility checker 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 the Guaranteed part of the Pension Credit, the Government will write to you between late October and late November advising if you qualify for the credit. 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. 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.

How the scheme works

Core Group 1 and Core Group 2 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.

  • They will write to you between late October and the end of November 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 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 2025/26, you’ll need to have been receiving qualifying benefits on the qualification date of 24th August 2025 in order to be eligible for the scheme.

  • For scheme year 2025/26, whichever supplier you were with on the 24th August 2025 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 24th August 2025, 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. You are able to appeal their decision by speaking to the 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 late-October and closes at the end of March. After this time you can write to the DWP 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