The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives eligible households a one-off £150 discount on their energy bill. For winter 2026 to 2027, the GOV.UK service is currently closed and will reopen in October 2026.
This article focuses on England and Wales. The rules are different in Scotland, and the Warm Home Discount Scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.
How much is the Warm Home Discount?
The discount is £150 per eligible household. It is normally credited to your electricity account by your energy supplier; it is not a £150 cash payment into your bank account.
If you have both gas and electricity with the same supplier, you may be able to ask for the discount to be applied to your gas account instead.
Who can qualify in England and Wales for 2026/27?
The current GOV.UK guidance says you may be eligible if all of the following applied on 23 August 2026:
- your energy supplier is participating in the scheme;
- you or your partner receive a qualifying means-tested benefit; and
- your name, or your partner’s name, is on the electricity bill.
The current England and Wales page lists these qualifying benefits:
- Universal Credit;
- Housing Benefit;
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA);
- Pension Credit.
Important: 23 August 2026 was the qualifying date used for the 2026/27 England and Wales eligibility check. If the electricity account was not in your or your partner’s name on that date, changing the name after the date does not automatically rewrite the qualifying-date facts.
Do you need to apply?
In England and Wales, eligible households will usually receive the discount automatically. The supplier applies the rebate to the bill after the government’s eligibility process.
That means the October reopening should not be read as a general online application window for every household. If you receive a government letter asking you to provide information or contact the helpline, follow the instructions and deadline in that letter.
When will the £150 be applied?
The scheme will reopen in October 2026. Ofgem says core-group rebates are generally delivered during the scheme year, with suppliers required in most cases to provide them by 31 March. Many households receive the discount during the winter months.
Prepayment customers can still qualify. Depending on the supplier and meter arrangement, the discount may be credited against future energy use or provided through another method such as a voucher.
Check your supplier
Your electricity supplier must be participating in the 2026/27 scheme for the standard England and Wales route. GOV.UK publishes the current participating-supplier list, so check the official page if your supplier has changed or stopped trading.
What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Scotland: eligibility rules differ. Some eligible customers are in an automatic core group, while a broader group can involve supplier-specific applications. Always use the Scotland-specific official guidance.
Northern Ireland: the Warm Home Discount Scheme does not operate there. GOV.UK points residents towards other support, including the Affordable Warmth scheme.
How long will the scheme continue?
The UK government has confirmed the Warm Home Discount will continue through 2030/31. Eligibility is still assessed by scheme year, so do not assume that qualifying in one winter guarantees the discount in every later year.
Frequently asked questions
Is the £150 paid into my bank account?
No. It is normally applied as a credit or discount to your energy account.
Can I submit a normal online application today?
The GOV.UK scheme page is currently closed and says it will reopen in October 2026. In England and Wales, most eligible households are identified automatically rather than through a general application form.
I use a prepayment meter. Can I still qualify?
Yes. Your supplier will explain how the discount is delivered for your meter, for example through a credit or voucher arrangement.
Are the Scotland rules the same?
No. Use the Scotland-specific Warm Home Discount rules because eligibility and application arrangements differ.
Official information
- GOV.UK — Warm Home Discount Scheme overview
- GOV.UK — England and Wales eligibility
- GOV.UK — participating energy suppliers
- UK Government — 2026/27 qualifying-date reminder
- Ofgem — Warm Home Discount
