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Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that allows some people to get a £150 discount on their energy bill. Find out if you can get the discount for 2025-26 and what you need to do.

i This advice is for people living in England, Wales and Scotland.

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  1. What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?
  2. Who can get the Warm Home Discount?
  3. What do I need to do to apply for the Warm Home Discount?
  4. Can I backdate my Warm Home Discount claim?
  5. Get free online debt advice

What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?

The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme in England, Wales and Scotland. It helps people with low income with their energy bills over the winter. You need to meet the government's criteria to get it.

People who meet the criteria will get a one-time £150 discount applied to their energy bill. The Warm Home Discount scheme runs between November 2025 and March 2026.

Who can get the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount criteria is different between England and Wales and Scotland.

England and Wales

To get the Warm Home Discount, you must:


  • Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or
  • Be on a low income

Scotland

To get the Warm Home Discount, you must:


  • Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or
  • Be on a low income and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme

The Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. Instead, you may be able to apply for the Affordable Warmth scheme.

What do I need to do to apply for the Warm Home Discount?

Letters will have been sent to you between October 2025 and January 2026 if:


  • You meet the criteria for the scheme, or
  • You might meet the criteria and need to send some more information

You don't need to do anything if you meet the criteria for the scheme. Your energy supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2026.

If you need to give more information, your letter will tell you to call the DWP Warm Home Discount helpline by 28 February 2026.

Contact the Warm Home Discount helpline if you think you meet the criteria but don't get a letter before January 2026.

Can I backdate my Warm Home Discount claim?

You need to have met the criteria for the Warm Home Discount on 24 August 2025 to get the discount. You may be able to get the discount if your benefits claim or pension credit is backdated to 24 August 2025 or before this date.

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