Warm Home Discount 2026/27: Who Can Get the £150?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 reduction on eligible households’ energy bills, and the 2026/27 scheme reopens in October.

In England and Wales, most eligible households should receive the discount automatically, while arrangements are different in Scotland.

Prepayment customers can qualify too, so check your details, look out for letters and ask for help if you are unsure.

As colder weather arrives, an extra £150 towards your energy costs can make a useful difference. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is designed to help eligible low-income households with their winter energy bills.

The scheme will reopen in October 2026. But who qualifies, do you need to apply, and what happens if you have a prepayment meter? Here are the important things to know.

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount on your energy bill. It is not normally paid into your bank account. Instead, if you qualify, your energy supplier applies the discount to your account.

It is usually applied to your electricity bill, although you may be able to have it put towards your gas bill if the same supplier provides both your gas and electricity.

The scheme operates in England, Wales and Scotland, but the eligibility rules are not exactly the same in each nation. It is not available in Northern Ireland.

Who qualifies in England and Wales?

For Warm Homes Discount winter 2026/27, you may be eligible if, on 23rd August 2026, all of the following applied:

• your electricity supplier was taking part in the scheme
• you or your partner received a qualifying means-tested benefit
• you or your partner were named on the electricity bill

The qualifying benefits for 2026/27 are Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) and Pension Credit.

Most eligible households in England and Wales do not need to make a separate application. Government records are matched with energy supplier information so the discount can usually be awarded automatically.

If the information cannot be matched, however, you may receive a letter asking you to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline. Do not ignore it: you may need to provide further information before your eligibility can be confirmed.

What is different in Scotland?

Scotland has its own Warm Home Discount arrangements.

For 2026/27, the Core Group has been expanded, meaning more qualifying Scottish households can be identified through automatic data matching. Depending on the benefit you receive, additional eligibility conditions may apply.

Scotland also has a Broader Group for certain low-income and vulnerable households. Unlike the Core Group, this part of the scheme is application-based, and individual suppliers can have their own approved eligibility criteria.

If you live in Scotland, it is therefore worth checking with your energy supplier rather than assuming the discount will automatically arrive.

Can you get it with a prepayment meter?

Yes. Having a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter does not stop you qualifying.

How you receive the £150 depends on your supplier. It may be added as credit for future energy use or supplied as a voucher that you can use to top up your meter.

Make sure your energy account is registered in the correct name and keep an eye out for letters, emails or messages from your supplier explaining what you need to do.

Common Warm Home Discount misconceptions

There are a few easy misunderstandings around the scheme.

• “It’s £150 paid into my bank account.” Usually not. It is a discount applied to your energy account.
• “Only pensioners can get it.” No. In England and Wales, several means-tested benefits can qualify. Scotland has its own eligibility arrangements too.
• “Prepayment customers can’t get it.” They can. The way the discount reaches you may simply be different.
• “Everyone on a low income automatically qualifies.” Not necessarily. Eligibility depends on the scheme rules, your benefits, your supplier and whose name is on the energy account.

What should I do if I’m unsure?

Start by checking that the correct name is on your electricity account and that your supplier participates in the scheme. If you receive a Warm Home Discount letter asking you to provide information, follow the instructions within it.

If you live in Scotland, also check whether you could qualify through your supplier’s Broader Group.

LEAP can help you understand what support may be available. Our Energy Support section brings together information on government help, energy company support and practical ways to manage energy costs.

If winter bills are worrying you, you can also apply for a free LEAP energy advice call. Our advisors can talk through your energy bills and circumstances and help you explore the support that may be available.