Warm Home Discount 2026/27: £150 Off Energy Bills

The Warm Home Discount is back for 2026/27, and it could mean £150 off your energy bill this winter.

With energy bills still incredibly high, particularly for households affected by the Price Cap, every bit of support can make a huge difference. The Warm Home Discount Scheme is designed to help eligible households with their energy costs by providing a one-off £150 discount on electricity bills. There’s no application form to fill in either, most people who qualify should receive it automatically.

The scheme will reopen in October 2026 for winter 2026/27.

So, who is eligible, how does it work, and do you need to do anything to receive it?

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount gives eligible households £150 off their electricity bill.

You won’t receive the £150 as money in your bank account. Instead, your energy supplier will take £150 off your energy bill or add it as credit to your account.

And don’t worry… getting the Warm Home Discount won’t stop you from receiving other help, such as the Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment.

Can the £150 go towards your gas bill instead?

Possibly! If you get both your gas and electricity from the same energy supplier, you may be able to use the £150 discount towards your gas bill instead.

You’ll need to contact your energy supplier and ask if they can do this for you.

Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount 2026/27?

For households in England and Wales, you may be eligible if, on 23rd August 2026:

• Your energy supplier was participating in the Warm Home Discount Scheme
• You or your partner received a qualifying means-tested benefit
• You or your partner were named on the electricity bill

For winter 2026/27, the qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit
• Both the Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit elements of Pension Credit can qualify.

The rules are different in Scotland and the Warm Home Discount Scheme does not operate in Northern Ireland.

Do I need to apply?

For most eligible households in England and Wales, there’s no need to apply.

The government will check who is eligible and, for most people, the £150 discount will be added to their energy account automatically.

Some people may need to provide a little more information first. If this applies to you, you should receive a letter explaining what you need to do.

Think you’re eligible but haven’t received a letter? Don’t assume you’ve missed out. Check the latest government guidance or contact the Warm Home Discount helpline to find out what to do next.

When will I receive the £150 discount?

The Warm Home Discount Scheme will reopen in October 2026.

Eligible households usually receive the discount during the winter, with most Core Group discounts required to be provided by 31 March 2027.

How you receive the discount can depend on how you pay for your energy.

If you pay by Direct Debit, the £150 will usually be credited to your energy account.

If you have a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter, you can still qualify. Your supplier will tell you how you’ll receive the discount, which could include a voucher to use towards your energy.

Live in a park home?

There is a separate Warm Home Discount process for people who live permanently in a park home and pay the site owner for their electricity rather than having a direct account with an energy supplier.

The Park Homes Warm Home Discount Scheme has its own eligibility criteria and application process, and funding is limited.

If you live in a park home, it’s therefore worth checking the specific guidance rather than assuming you aren’t eligible.

What other energy support could you get?

LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership)

If you’re worried about the costs of energy bills and staying warm this winter, LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) could help you look at the bigger picture.

Eligible households can receive a FREE home energy visit, where a Home Energy Advisor can look at your individual circumstances and identify ways to help make your home more affordable to run.

Support can include:

• Checking your energy bills and tariff
• Helping you understand what support may be available from your energy supplier
• Free energy-saving measures for your home
• Checking whether you could be missing out on benefits or additional income
• Support with energy debt
• Checking your heating and how efficiently you’re using energy
• Referrals to other grants and support
• Access to further schemes, including support with inefficient appliances, where eligible and available

If you’re already receiving a qualifying benefit for the Warm Home Discount, it could also be worth checking whether you qualify for LEAP.

What other support could you be entitled to?

The Warm Home Discount 2026/27 isn’t the only help available with energy costs. From free energy advice and home energy visits to grants and practical support, there are other schemes that could help households prepare for the colder months.