The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that eligible households receiving income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Pension Credit, or Universal Credit will receive a one-off £150 rebate on their energy bills every winter until 2030/2031. This extension of the Warm Home Discount was announced by the Labour Party government in a press release.
Eligibility and Application Details
The government stated: "A small number of households need to provide extra information to ensure they get the discount this winter (2025/2026)." Eligible claimants are urged to check their eligibility and provide any required details to avoid missing out on the rebate. The Warm Home Discount is designed to help low-income households with energy costs during the colder months.
Part of a Broader Energy Support Package
This announcement follows the launch of the £15 billion Warm Homes Plan last week, which the government describes as "the biggest home upgrade plan in British history." The plan aims to help millions of families reduce their energy bills through improved home efficiency. From April, households will save an average of £150 on energy bills, with some consumers, such as those with high-use electric storage heating, potentially saving over £400 per year.
Government Statements on Impact
A government press release emphasized: "The 5-year continuation of the Warm Home Discount is welcome news for low-income households and provides support that extends beyond this parliament." The release added: "Six million households across Great Britain now receive the discount and the revised eligibility criteria give greater certainty about who will benefit each year. It is also essential that support is continuing for energy advice and for measures that reach people who are not within the benefits system. Without this, many households who cannot be identified through government data matching will remain without the help they need."
Cost of Living Measures
The government highlighted that the Warm Home Discount is part of broader action to tackle the cost of living, which includes freezing rail fares for the first time in 30 years, freezing prescription charges for the second consecutive year, rolling out free breakfast clubs, and increasing the national minimum and living wage.
