Warm Home Discount 2026/27: who gets £150
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2026/27. Most people who qualify get it automatically, and eligibility depends on your circumstances on 23 August 2026.
GuideUpdated
Who qualifies in England and Wales
According to GOV.UK, you may be eligible if all of these applied on 23 August 2026:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme (most large suppliers are, see the list below)
- you or your partner got a qualifying means-tested benefit
- your name, or your partner's, is on the electricity bill
The qualifying benefits are:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Pension Credit
Who qualifies in Scotland
The same 23 August 2026 date applies, but there are two routes. You get the discount automatically (the "core group") if, for example, you or your partner get Pension Credit, or get an extra amount of Universal Credit because you or your child has a disability or health condition. Some households with a child under 5 also qualify automatically, such as those unemployed and on Universal Credit. GOV.UK lists the full set.
Otherwise you may be in the "broader group", where you apply to your electricity supplier directly. Each supplier sets its own extra criteria and has a limited number of discounts, so contact them as early as possible, even if you got the discount last year. You need to stay with that supplier until it's paid.
The scheme isn't available in Northern Ireland.
Key dates for winter 2026/27
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Eligibility date (your circumstances on this day count) | 23 August 2026 |
| Letters sent to eligible households | late October 2026 to early January 2027 |
| Call the helpline if your letter asks for more information, or you think you qualify but had no letter | by 26 February 2027 |
| Supplier applies the discount to your bill | by 31 March 2027 |
From GOV.UK, read 2026-10-29. If you're eligible, your letter says you don't need to do anything. If you need to give more information, it tells you to call the helpline. In Scotland, if you applied to your supplier you won't get a letter, so contact the supplier instead.
How you get the money
The discount is taken off your electricity bill; it isn't paid to you. If your supplier gives you both gas and electricity, you may be able to have it on your gas bill instead. On a prepayment meter you can still qualify, and your supplier will tell you how you'll get it, for example as a top-up voucher. It doesn't affect Cold Weather Payments or the Winter Fuel Payment. Park home residents apply a different way, through the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.
What does £150 cover?
At the 1 October to 31 December 2026 price cap, £150 pays the average electricity standing charge (54.83p a day) for about 274 days. For a home using Ofgem's typical 2,500 kWh of electricity a year, it's about 17% of a yearly electricity bill of about £858. Work out your own bill with our energy bill calculator.
Suppliers in the scheme
GOV.UK lists these suppliers: 100Green, Boost, British Gas (and Scottish Gas), E (Gas and Electricity), Ecotricity, EDF, E.ON Next, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Octopus Energy (including EnergyCoop), Outfox Energy, OVO, Sainsbury's Energy, ScottishPower, So Energy, Square 1 Energy, TruEnergy, Tulo Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse. If your supplier stops trading, Ofgem appoints a new one and you may still be eligible.
Help and contact
Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline: 0800 030 9322, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 229 4325). Check the latest details on GOV.UK before you call.
Other ways to cut winter bills
- See what plug-in heaters really cost with our electric heater running cost calculator.
- Find your biggest users with the appliance running cost calculator.
- Understand the daily charges in standing charges explained and the current rates in the price cap explained.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Warm Home Discount for 2026/27?
£150, taken off your electricity bill (or sometimes your gas bill) once during the winter. It is not paid to you as cash.
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
In England and Wales, usually not. If you qualify you get a letter and the discount is applied automatically. In Scotland some people get it automatically and others must apply to their electricity supplier.
When will I get the Warm Home Discount?
Letters go out between late October 2026 and early January 2027, and suppliers apply the discount by 31 March 2027.
What if I don't get a letter?
If you think you qualify and have no letter by early January 2027, call the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 030 9322 before 26 February 2027.
Can I get it on a prepayment meter?
Yes. Your supplier will tell you how it is given, for example as a voucher to top up your meter.
Is the Warm Home Discount available in Northern Ireland?
No. GOV.UK points Northern Ireland households to the Affordable Warmth scheme instead.
Sources
- GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount Scheme (2026/27)
- GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount: if you live in England or Wales
- GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount: if you live in Scotland
- GOV.UK – Warm Home Discount: energy suppliers in the scheme
- Ofgem – Energy price cap unit rates and standing charges (1 Oct–31 Dec 2026)
- Ofgem – Typical domestic consumption values (2026)
Estimates only, not financial advice. Results use average UK figures and the assumptions shown. Your real costs depend on your home, tariff, region and installer quotes. Always get several quotes from certified installers and check current tariff rates before deciding. Don't rely on these results alone: see our disclaimer.