In short: The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount on your electricity bill for winter 2026/27. In England and Wales you usually get it automatically if, on 23 August 2026, you or your partner got Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA or Pension Credit and your name is on the bill. Scotland has different rules, and the scheme doesn't run in Northern Ireland.
Key facts
- The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill; the money is not paid to you. Source
- In England and Wales for 2026 to 2027, the qualifying date is 23 August 2026 and the qualifying benefits are Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA and Pension Credit. Source
- Suppliers should apply the discount by 31 March 2027; if a letter asks for more information, call the helpline by 26 February 2027. Source
- The Warm Home Discount helpline is 0800 030 9322, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm. Source
- The scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. Source
Want this written down for your home? Care & Support Emergency Plan — printable, £4.99.
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off reduction on your electricity bill for households on certain means-tested benefits. Unlike Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment, it isn't paid into your bank — your energy supplier takes it off your bill. This guide covers the 2026 to 2027 scheme year and was checked against GOV.UK on 26 October 2026.
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
For 2026/27 it is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill, according to GOV.UK. The money is not paid to you.
- If your supplier provides both your gas and electricity, you may get it on your gas bill instead — ask your supplier.
- On a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter, you can still qualify. Your supplier will explain how you'll get it, such as a top-up voucher.
- It doesn't affect your Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment.
Who qualifies in England and Wales?
According to the England and Wales eligibility page, all of these must have applied on the qualifying date, 23 August 2026:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you or your partner got one of the qualifying benefits below
- your name, or your partner's, is on the electricity bill
| Qualifying benefit (England and Wales, 2026/27) | Counts? |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | Yes |
| Housing Benefit | Yes |
| Income-related Employment and Support Allowance | Yes |
| Pension Credit | Yes |
GOV.UK calls this the "core group". The GOV.UK page lists 24 participating suppliers, including British Gas, EDF, OVO, Octopus Energy and ScottishPower.
Who qualifies in Scotland?
The qualifying date (23 August 2026) and basic conditions are the same, but the automatic route is narrower. According to GOV.UK's Scotland page, you're in the core group and get it automatically if you or your partner:
- get Pension Credit
- get an extra amount of Universal Credit for a disability or health condition (yours or your child's)
- get a disability or pensioner premium with income-related ESA
- get a disability or pensioner premium and have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
- are responsible for a child under 5 who normally lives with you, and you are unemployed and on Universal Credit, get income-related ESA, or have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
If you don't fit these, you may still be in the broader group. Apply directly to your electricity supplier — they may have their own extra criteria, and the number of discounts is limited, so GOV.UK advises contacting them early, even if you had it last year. You'll need to stay with that supplier until the discount is paid.
What if I live in a park home?
Park (mobile) home residents don't get the discount through an electricity supplier in the usual way. GOV.UK points them to a separate Park Homes Warm Home Discount route, run through charisgrants.com, which has its own application process. Check that page for this year's dates before applying.
Is there a Warm Home Discount in Northern Ireland?
No. GOV.UK says the scheme isn't available in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive runs the Affordable Warmth Scheme, which nidirect describes as help with fuel poverty and energy-inefficient homes — check the Housing Executive website for current eligibility.
When will I get the Warm Home Discount?
Key dates for 2026/27 from GOV.UK:
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Qualifying date | 23 August 2026 |
| Letters sent out | Late October 2026 to early January 2027 |
| If your letter asks for more information, call the helpline by | 26 February 2027 |
| Discount applied to your bill by | 31 March 2027 |
If your letter says you're eligible, you don't need to do anything. If you think you qualify but haven't had a letter by early January 2027, contact the scheme. If you applied directly to your supplier in Scotland, you won't get a letter from the scheme.
Warm Home Discount helpline: 0800 030 9322 (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 229 4325), Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Quick checklist
- My name or my partner's name is on the electricity bill
- We got a qualifying benefit on 23 August 2026
- My supplier is on the GOV.UK list of participating suppliers
- I've watched for a letter between late October and early January
- In Scotland and not automatic? I've contacted my supplier early
If your supplier goes out of business, Ofgem appoints a new one and you may still be eligible — check with the new supplier.
How this links to being ready for winter
A £150 discount helps keep the heating on, but it's worth pairing with some simple preparation for cold snaps and power cuts:
- Join the Priority Services Register with your energy supplier, network operator and water company. It's free — see our Priority Services Register guide.
- Keep a power cut box ready with a torch, batteries, a radio and warm layers. Our power cuts guide explains what to include.
- Check on neighbours. GOV.UK's Be Ready guidance encourages checking on people who may be at higher risk in cold weather, and offering practical help.
Limitations
This page is general information, not financial or benefits advice. Details were checked on 26 October 2026 for the 2026 to 2027 scheme year and may change; GOV.UK and your energy supplier are the official sources. Rules differ between England and Wales and Scotland, and the scheme doesn't run in Northern Ireland. In an emergency, call 999.
Turn this guide into a written plan
Reading helps. Writing it down is what makes it work when the phones are flat. Start with the free plan builder, or get the full printable version:
For this topicCare & Support Emergency Plan£4.99
Your whole household planHousehold Emergency Plan Pack£6.99
Bundle · £15.97 separatelyPrepared, Not Panicked bundle£9.99Real pages shown before you buy · instant PDF · one-off price · 30-day refund.
Get the free 72-hour UK household checklist
Tick-box lists for each part of a UK home emergency kit, plus the key numbers on one page. Enter your email and we'll take you straight to the download.
That email address doesn't look right — please check it and try again.
We'll also email you when we publish new guides — occasional, never daily. Unsubscribe any time. See our privacy notice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Warm Home Discount in 2026/27?
£150, taken off your electricity bill (or sometimes your gas bill if the same supplier provides both). It isn't paid to you as cash.
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
In England and Wales you usually get it automatically if you qualify. In Scotland, people in the 'core group' get it automatically, and others may be able to apply directly to their supplier.
Can I get the Warm Home Discount on Universal Credit?
In England and Wales, yes, if you or your partner got Universal Credit on 23 August 2026, your supplier is in the scheme and your name or your partner's is on the electricity bill. Scotland's automatic rules are narrower.
I'm on a prepayment meter. Can I still get it?
Yes. GOV.UK says your supplier will tell you how you'll get the discount, for example as a top-up voucher.
What if I haven't had a letter?
Letters go out between late October 2026 and early January 2027. If you think you're eligible and have had no letter by early January 2027, contact the scheme on 0800 030 9322.
Sources
- GOV.UK — Warm Home Discount Scheme
- GOV.UK — Warm Home Discount: if you live in England and Wales
- GOV.UK — Warm Home Discount: if you live in Scotland
- nidirect — Energy saving grants in your area
- Be Ready (GOV.UK) — Cold weather, snow and ice