Millions of households across the United Kingdom are waking up to a welcome financial boost as the Warm Home Discount scheme begins its rollout for winter 2025.
Who qualifies for the £150 payment?
The support, a one-off £150 discount applied directly to energy costs, is specifically targeted at lower-income families, pensioners, and benefit claimants. This year marks a significant expansion of the scheme, with all Universal Credit claimants now qualifying for the first time.
This change means many households who were previously excluded will now receive vital support with their energy bills over the crucial Christmas period. Alongside Universal Credit, people receiving certain other benefits including Housing Benefit, Income Support, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) are also eligible.
Low-income pensioners who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will continue to qualify as in previous years.
How and when will you receive the discount?
For the majority of eligible households, the discount will be applied to their energy accounts during November and December 2025. The payment method differs depending on your meter type.
If you have a standard credit meter, the £150 will appear as a credit on your electricity account. For households with a prepayment meter, energy suppliers will issue a voucher that can be used to top up the meter at a Post Office.
While most discounts will be processed before the end of the year, some residents may see a slightly longer wait. A statement from British Gas confirms that all qualifying customers will have their discount applied between November 2025 and 31 March 2026 at the latest, with the majority receiving it before January 2026.
A crucial support during the cost-of-living crisis
This targeted financial assistance comes at a critical time for families struggling with high energy costs. The automatic nature of the scheme means that most eligible residents do not need to apply; the discount should be applied directly by their energy supplier.
The expansion of eligibility criteria ensures that a broader range of people on low incomes will benefit from this essential support, providing some much-needed relief during the coldest months of the year.
