The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that millions of households claiming one of four benefits will receive a £150 Warm Home Discount this winter. The one-off discount is applied to energy bills and is designed to ease the financial pressure on some of the poorest families during the coldest months.
The scheme opens again from October, with most eligible households receiving the discount between November and January. Under recent rule changes, far more people qualify than in previous years, including every household on Universal Credit, regardless of income or circumstances.
Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount
Households will qualify if they claim Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Some of the poorest pensioners, specifically those on the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit, are also eligible.
Previously, only some Universal Credit claimants received the discount. Now, everyone on Universal Credit is eligible, which means millions more households will get the support compared with earlier years.
How the discount is applied
The £150 discount is applied either as an energy credit or as top-up vouchers, depending on how customers pay their bills. The money is not paid directly to the household.
According to the Government: "The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you."
"You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out."
Timing and impact of the payment
The scheme launches again in October, though most households usually receive the discount between November and January. British Gas has told customers that the winter 2026/2027 payment will be applied between November 2026 and March 31, 2027 at the latest, with most customers receiving their Warm Home Discount before January 2027.
The support comes as energy bills are set to rise again by 4% from October, increasing the pressure on households who use heating for longer periods during the winter. The discount is intended to provide a practical boost for those on the lowest incomes during the coldest time of the year.
