Universal Credit Claimants Receive £150 Winter Cost of Living Bonus
Millions of households across the United Kingdom claiming Universal Credit have begun receiving a significant £150 cost of living boost this winter. This financial support, delivered through the Warm Home Discount scheme, is designed to alleviate pressures from rising living expenses during the colder months.
Expanded Eligibility for Winter Support
In a notable expansion of support, the Government has extended eligibility for the Warm Home Discount to all Universal Credit claimants this winter. Previously, the discount was only available to a limited subset of individuals receiving this benefit. This change means a far greater number of low-income families and individuals can now access this crucial assistance.
The scheme also continues to support some of the most vulnerable pensioners who are on the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, ensuring a broad safety net for those on the lowest incomes.
How the £150 Discount is Applied
The one-off £150 discount is being applied directly to energy bills over the winter period. The method of application depends on how customers pay their bills:
- For customers with standard credit accounts, the £150 is applied as a direct credit to their electricity account.
- For those on prepayment (pay-as-you-go) meters, a voucher is issued which can be used to top up the meter at a Post Office branch.
Energy suppliers have been instructed to apply the discount between November 2025 and March 31, 2026, with most eligible households expected to have received their payment by January 2026.
Additional Relief from April Energy Bill Reductions
This winter support comes alongside further good news for household finances. From April 2026, energy bills are projected to fall by an average of £150 due to changes in the energy price cap. For the poorest households eligible for both forms of support, this represents a potential total boost of £300 to help manage living costs.
British Gas, one of the major energy suppliers implementing the scheme, confirmed: "If you qualify for the winter 2025/26 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied between November 2025-March 31 at the latest, with most customers receiving their WHD before January 2026. The discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit. And if you're on pay as you go, we'll send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a Post Office."
While most eligible households should have already received their discount, some payments may continue to be processed up until the end of March, ensuring all qualifying claimants receive this vital winter support.
