Warm Home Discount 2026-27 - what you need to know

The Warm Home Discount scheme supports customers struggling to pay their gas and electricity bills during the winter months.

This winter (2026-27), there are further changes to the eligibility criteria, building on changes introduced in 2025-26. 

Find out whether you're qualified to receive the discount, and how much you could get.

What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?

The Warm Home Discount is a government-led scheme. It was introduced in 2011 to help support households who could be struggling to keep their houses warm.

You can get a one-off discount of £150 paid to your electricity bill if you're eligible and your energy supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme. But, if you have dual fuel you can ask your provider to apply the discount to your gas bill instead.

Getting a Warm Home Discount shouldn't affect any entitlement you have towards a Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment either.

How much is the Warm Home Discount?

This winter, the Warm Home Discount is set at £150.

If you're eligible, you don't get the money paid directly to you. Instead, if you pay your bills by direct debit, the money should automatically go into your account. If you use Pay As You Go your supplier should tell you how you get the discount. For example, a voucher which you can use to top up your meter.

Who can get the Warm Home Discount?

Eligibility rules were expanded last winter and the scheme continues for 2026-27 (running April 2026 to March 2027). There are different ways to qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme depending on where you live. Each year, a qualifying date is set for claims, so be sure to check GOV.UK for the 2026-27 update when it’s announced in October 2026. In the meantime, here’s the eligibility criteria for last winter.

England and Wales

If you live in England and Wales, you're qualified for the discount if you're in:

• Core group 1 - you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Core group 2 - you receive a qualifying low-income or means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support or certain Tax Credits. The energy efficiency test has been removed, making it easier to qualify

Scotland

If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you're in:

• Core group - you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
• Broader group -requirements as listed above plus additional factors like parental responsibility for a child, receiving a disability benefit or being of pensionable age

Northern Ireland

The Warm Home Discount scheme isn't available if you live in Northern Ireland. But, you can find out if you're eligible for the Affordable Warmth scheme.

How to apply for the Warm Home Discount

The government will look at your circumstances to decide if you're qualified to get the discount.

If you're part of 'Core group 1' in England and Wales, or 'Core group' in Scotland, you should automatically get the discount.

If you're part of 'Core group 2' in England and Wales, you should automatically get the discount. In Scotland, if you're on a low income and believe you fall into the Broader (Core 2) group, you'll need to contact your electricity supplier to apply from November 2026.

The scheme for these groups opens in October 2026. Keep a lookout for the discount to be applied to your account between then and 31 March 2027.  

For more information, visit the GOV.UK website.

Can I get the Warm Home Discount on a pre-payment meter?

Yes, you can get the Warm Home Discount on a pay-as-you-go or pre-payment meter. How it works for you depends on your supplier.

They may put credit on the meter for you, but most of the time they give you a voucher to use to top up your meter.

When do I get the Warm Home Discount?

Your energy supplier should apply the discount to your bill sometime between October 2026 and 31 March 2027. 

Which companies offer the Warm Home Discount?

Energy suppliers who are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme are:

• 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
• Boost
• British Gas
• E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
• Ecotricity
• EDF
• EnergyCoop
• E.ON Next
• Fuse Energy
• Good Energy
• Home Energy
• London Power
• Octopus Energy
• Outfox Energy
• OVO
• Sainsbury’s Energy
• Scottish Gas
• ScottishPower
• So Energy
• Square 1 Energy Ltd
• TruEnergy
• Tulo Energy
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

If your energy supplier goes out of business, Ofgem should be able to appoint you a new supplier and you may still be eligible for the discount.

Other energy grants and support for your gas and electric bills

If you need any more help with your bills, there are other schemes available to support you.

Winter Fuel Payment

The winter fuel payment is a one-off tax-free payment to households owned by anyone who gets the state pension. But if you’re total individual income exceeds £35,000, HMRC will claw the payment back. 

The allowance is normally paid automatically during November and December.

You can get between £100 and £300, but the amount depends largely on your age and living situation.

This scheme doesn’t apply if you live in Scotland.

Cold Weather Payments

Cold weather payments are another one-off payment that you can get every time the temperature drops below a specific temperature.

You can get £25 for each 7-day period of cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

You may be eligible for Cold Weather Payments if you already receive the following benefits:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Again, this scheme isn’t available in Scotland.

Citizens Advice also offers further options if you're still struggling to pay your bills.

Share this article