What’s the Warm Home Discount and How Does it Actually Work?

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that gives eligible households £150 off their electricity bill over winter. It isn’t cash in your bank, exactly; it’s a one-off credit applied by your supplier, usually between October and March. For winter 2025/26, the scheme reopens in October 2025 and discounts must be applied by 31 March 2026.

Who can get it?

In England & Wales there are two routes:

Core Group 1]: you (or your partner) get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. You should be identified automatically.
Core Group 2 (low income)[open in new tab]: from winter 2025/26, the government has removed the “high-cost-to-heat” test. That means if you’re on a qualifying means-tested benefit (for example Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or certain legacy benefits) and your name is on the electricity bill on the qualifying date, you’re eligible. The qualifying date for this winter is 24 August 2025.

In Scotland:

If you get Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), you’re in the Core Group and should be contacted automatically. Otherwise, you can apply to your supplier’s “Broader Group”. Funds are limited and allocated by suppliers, so apply early when applications open.

How do I get the Warm Homes Discount? (Step-by-step)

Check your bill details. Make sure your name is on your electricity account and that your supplier participates in WHD (most do, there’s a list on GOV.UK. If you weren’t with a participating supplier on the qualifying date, you won’t get the rebate this year.
Look out for a letter. In England and Wales, most eligible households don’t apply; the system matches your benefits and energy account and sends out letters Oct to Dec.
Follow the letter’s instructions. Some people are asked to call the WHD helpline (0800 030 9322) to confirm details. The helpline is open in the winter and the deadline to call is the end of February 2026.
Receive your credit. Your supplier applies the £150 discount to your account (or issues a voucher if needed) by 31st March 2026.

What if I'm on a prepayment meter?

You can get WHD if you’re on a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter. If you’ve a smart prepay or standard credit account, suppliers usually credit your account automatically. With traditional prepayment meters, suppliers typically send a voucher to redeem at the Post Office or PayPoint; keep an eye on post, email or text and redeem promptly (suppliers can reissue if it expires). If in doubt, ask your supplier how they deliver WHD to prepay customers.

Key things to know

Scheme opens October 2025 > Qualifying date 24 August 2025 > Letters Oct to Dec (chase by mid-Jan 2026) > Helpline closes end of Feb 2026 > Rebate by 31 March 2026
You usually need to have been with a participating supplier on the qualifying date. If you switched after that date, you may miss the rebate this year
In England and Wales the process is automatic for most. In Scotland many low-income households must apply to their supplier as part of the Broader Group.
It’s £150 off your electricity bill (some suppliers can move it to gas if you’re dual-fuel)

What if I’ve missed the 24th August qualifying date?

Try not to worry. If you weren’t eligible or your account details didn’t match on 24th August, you usually won’t receive the Warm Home Discount this winter, but there are still steps you can take.

If you’re later awarded Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) and it’s backdated to cover 24th August, call the WHD helpline or your supplier to ask for a review. In Scotland, you may still be able to apply under your supplier’s Broader Group while funds last, so apply as soon as applications open. Either way, speak to your supplier about hardship funds, affordable repayment plans and check other help such as Winter Fuel Payment, Winter Heating/Cold Weather Payments, or local council support.

Finally, make sure your electricity account is in your name with a participating supplier now, so you’re ready for next year.

Unsure? LEAP can help

LEAP’s energy advisers can check your WHD eligibility, help with applications in Scotland, chase missing letters and look at other support you might be entitled to. We’ll also help you make sense of your tariff and cut energy waste at home, small changes that add up.
Send us a message or give us a call on 0800 060 7567 (England & Wales) or 0800 029 4543 (Scotland), Mon to Fri, 9am-5.30pm. We’ll talk you through it step by step, so you can keep your bills under control this winter.