Warm Home Discount 2024/25: Get £150 Off Your Electricity Bill
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 credit to help eligible households in Great Britain with energy costs over winter. Find out who qualifies, how it works in England, Wales and Scotland, key dates, and how we can help you check eligibility and save more on your energy.
Discount amount: £150 (applied once per scheme year)
Payment window: October to March (exact dates vary)
How it’s paid: credit to your electricity account or voucher if you use prepayment
Eligibility: based on benefits and/or high energy costs (rules differ in England & Wales vs Scotland)
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a government scheme that provides a one-off £150 credit towards your electricity bill during winter. It’s designed to support people on low incomes and pensioners at risk of fuel poverty. The discount is usually applied between October and March each year and is not paid to you as cash.
If you use a prepayment (pay-as-you-go) meter, you’ll typically receive a top-up or voucher to redeem at your usual top-up point. If you get both gas and electricity from the same supplier, you may be able to ask them to apply the discount to your gas account instead.
The Warm Home Discount is separate from other support such as the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment (where applicable). You may be eligible for more than one type of support.
Who qualifies for Warm Home Discount?
Eligibility differs slightly between England & Wales and Scotland. The scheme rules can change each year, so always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK.
England & Wales
Core Group 1: You usually qualify automatically if you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date. The government uses data matching to confirm eligibility, and your energy supplier applies the discount to your electricity account. You may receive a letter asking you to confirm details by a deadline.
Core Group 2 (Low income + high energy costs): You may qualify if you receive certain means-tested benefits or tax credits and are assessed as having higher energy costs based on your property’s characteristics. Examples of qualifying benefits can include Universal Credit, income-related ESA or JSA, Income Support, Housing Benefit, or certain Tax Credits. Not everyone on these benefits will qualify; eligibility is assessed using government criteria.
In England and Wales, you usually do not apply through your energy supplier. If you’re eligible, you’ll typically be identified automatically. If you don’t get a letter by mid-winter and think you should qualify, check the official scheme guidance.
Scotland
Core Group: If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit on the qualifying date, you’re usually identified automatically and your supplier applies the discount.
Broader Group: If you’re on a low income and meet your supplier’s criteria, you may need to apply directly to your energy supplier. Application windows and criteria can vary by supplier and places are sometimes limited, so apply early.
Check your supplier’s website for Scottish Broader Group opening dates and required documents.
Note: Only suppliers with over a certain number of domestic customers are obligated to offer Warm Home Discount, though some smaller suppliers may opt in. If you switch supplier during the scheme, your discount arrangements may be affected depending on timing—keep any letters and contact your supplier if unsure.
How the discount is paid
Credit to electricity account: Most customers see £150 credited to their electricity account automatically.
Prepayment customers: You may receive a top-up or a voucher to redeem. Keep your details up to date and follow the voucher instructions promptly.
Gas instead of electricity: If you have the same supplier for both fuels, you may be able to ask for the credit to be applied to gas. This is at your supplier’s discretion.
Timing: Credits are usually applied between October and March. If you’re told you qualify, the supplier will aim to apply the discount within that window.
What you might need to provide
In England and Wales, most households do not need to apply; eligibility is usually confirmed automatically from government records. In Scotland’s Broader Group, suppliers may ask for:
Full name, address and postcode
Energy account number and supplier name
Proof of qualifying benefits or income (as requested by supplier)
Details of people living in the property (to assess energy costs)
Key dates and deadlines (2024/25)
Qualifying date: Set by government each scheme year.
Letters issued: Typically autumn to early winter. Follow any instructions and deadlines in your letter.
Payment window: Discounts generally applied October to March.
Scottish Broader Group applications: Open/close dates set by each supplier. Apply early as funds or places can be limited.
Always check the latest details on GOV.UK and your supplier’s website.
Eligibility guidance: We can help you understand the criteria and what to expect if you’re in England, Wales or Scotland.
Supplier and tariff support: If your supplier doesn’t participate in WHD, we can help explore options with obligated suppliers and competitive tariffs.
Energy-saving advice: Reduce your ongoing costs with practical efficiency tips and available grants.
Priority Services Register: If you’re vulnerable, we’ll help you join your supplier’s register for additional support.
Supplier support funds: Some suppliers offer hardship funds, debt support and payment plans—ask your supplier what’s available.
Reduce usage: Small changes can lower bills. See our energy-saving guide or ask our team.
Step-by-step: getting your Warm Home Discount
England & Wales
Check your mail: Look out for a letter about WHD if you receive Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or certain means-tested benefits.
Follow instructions: If asked, confirm your details by the stated deadline.
Watch for credit: The £150 should appear on your electricity account during the payment window.
Prepayment? Redeem your voucher or top-up instructions promptly.
Scotland
Pension Credit? If you get Guarantee Credit, you’ll usually be identified automatically.
Broader Group: Check your supplier’s criteria and application opening date.
Apply early: Submit required documents—funds and places can be limited.
Receive discount: Your supplier will apply the £150 credit or issue a voucher if eligible.
Warm Home Discount FAQs
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 credit applied to your electricity account (or provided as a voucher for prepayment customers) during the scheme year.
Do I need to apply?
In England and Wales, most eligible households are identified automatically. You may receive a letter with instructions and a deadline to confirm details. In Scotland, some customers (Broader Group) must apply to their supplier. Always check the latest guidance on GOV.UK and your supplier’s website.
When will I get the discount?
Discounts are usually applied between October and March. Timing varies by supplier and when eligibility is confirmed.
Can I get the discount on my gas bill?
It’s an electricity discount by default. If you have the same supplier for both fuels, you may be able to ask them to apply it to your gas account instead.
You’ll typically receive a top-up or voucher. Follow the instructions and redeem by the expiry date. Keep your contact details up to date with your supplier.
If you switch after being told you qualify, the discount is usually applied by the supplier that confirmed your eligibility. Keep all correspondence and contact your old and new suppliers if you’re unsure.
Does Warm Home Discount affect other benefits?
No. It’s separate from other payments (like Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment) and does not impact your benefit entitlement.
Check your eligibility and get support
Share a few details and our team will be in touch to help you understand your options. We’ll never guarantee eligibility—decisions are made under government and supplier rules—but we’ll make the process clear and simple.
We’ll only use your details to respond to your enquiry. You can opt out at any time.
Information on this page reflects the Warm Home Discount scheme for 2024/25 to the best of our knowledge and may change. Eligibility and payments are determined by government rules and/or your energy supplier. Always refer to official guidance on GOV.UK and your supplier’s website.