Millions of people are to receive a £150 discount off their energy bills this winter, as letters are being sent to households this week confirming they are eligible.
For many people, it will be the first time they have received the payment, after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expanded the Warm Home Discount scheme to help a further 2.7 million families across the UK. All households entitled to the discount are to receive a letter before January.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Letters will be dropping on doormats across the country this week containing welcome news for hundreds of thousands of families.
“This Government is determined to tackle energy affordability for families, and this winter more people will be helped as a result.
“And I would urge anyone who needs to provide extra information to follow the straightforward steps and make sure they get money off their bills this winter.”
More than six million households across England, Scotland and Wales will receive help.
Which DWP benefits make claimants eligible for Warm Home Discount 2025?
According to gov.uk, the following benefits make claimants eligible for the £150 payment.
- 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
How does it work in Scotland?
You do not need to apply if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. You’ll automatically get a letter telling you about the discount if you’re eligible.
Otherwise, you’ll need to apply directly to your energy supplier.
You might be eligible if all of the following apply:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill
The minister for energy consumers, Martin McCluskey, says: “As temperatures drop across Scotland, people are starting to turn their heating on and it’s essential that people are able to keep warm this winter.
“We are making sure more of those who need it most get £150 off their energy bills this winter – a vital lifeline for Scots as the evenings draw in.”
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How do billpayers get the £150 discount?
For the vast majority of recipients, £150 will be automatically deducted from their energy bill, and they don’t need to take any action. However, some households will need to provide extra information to ensure they get the discount, with the letters advising them to call the helpline provided.
Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you do not get a letter by early January 2026.
Some people will need an electricity bill or statement to confirm the billpayer’s name and account number.
Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible, for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter. You can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter.
The following suppliers are part of the scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
- E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox Energy
- OVO
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Square 1 Energy Ltd
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Tulo Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
If your supplier is no longer trading, you may still be eligible for a Warm Home Discount. Ofgem will appoint your new supplier for you.
Check with your new supplier if you’re eligible for the discount.
