Warm Home Discount Scheme: What is it & do you qualify?
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is often a hot topic in the UK leading up to the cold winter months. Those eligible can receive an annual £150 credit to help alleviate the costs of high energy bills.
But what exactly is this scheme about? Which energy suppliers participate in it? Who is eligible for the scheme, and how does one apply?
Fortunately, we’ll answer all of these questions and more in our latest guide.
Article Contents
What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a government-backed initiative available to eligible customers in England, Scotland, and Wales.
It was started in April 2011 and provides financial support to alleviate the pressure of high energy costs for pensioners and low-income households. The scheme has since been extended to March 2026.
How much can you get?
Those who qualify receive a £150 one-off payment towards their electricity bill.
Your electricity supplier will apply the discount automatically to your electricity account, provided they’re a participating supplier.
Note: The Warm Home Discount does not impact your entitlement to other benefits like the Winter Fuel Payment or the Cold Weather Payment.
How and when will you receive the Warm Home Discount payment?
- Most eligible households will receive the £150 discount on their electricity account between October 2024 and March 2025. The participating energy supplier will credit your account, meaning you won’t receive the £150 in person.
- For those who have dual-fuel accounts, which means they receive both gas and electricity from the same supplier, there’s a possibility of applying the discount to the gas bill, offering flexibility in how it is utilised.
- You’ll receive a top-up voucher if you have a traditional prepayment meter.
Which suppliers participate in the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
Many UK suppliers participate in the Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme:
- 100Green (formerly known as Green Energy UK)
- Affect Energy (now under Octopus Energy)
- Atlantic (part of SSE Energy Services)
- Boost
- [British Gas] – including Scottish Gas
- Bulb Energy (now under Octopus Energy)
- Co-op Energy (now under Octopus Energy)
- E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Good Energy
- London Power (now under Octopus Energy)
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Hydro (under SSE Energy Services)
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Southern Electric (part of SSE Energy Services)
- SSE Energy Services
- Swalec (under SSE Energy Services)
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
Note: If your electricity supplier stops trading, you might still be eligible for the Warm Home Discount. In such cases, Ofgem will appoint a new supplier, and you should check with this new supplier regarding your eligibility for the discount.
Do you need to switch energy suppliers?
No, you don’t necessarily need to switch energy suppliers to benefit from the Warm Home Discount.
However, if your current electricity supplier isn’t part of the scheme, you might consider switching to one that is.
Expert insight: Use Utility Saving Expert’s 100% free online comparison tool to find cheaper energy deals and switch home energy suppliers today.
Who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
Pensioners and low-income or high-energy-cost households are eligible for the Warm Home Discount. However, the eligibility criteria differ slightly between England, Wales, and Scotland.
Let’s explain:
England and Wales
| Core Group | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Core Group 1: Eligible Pensioners | - Must have an account with a participating electricity supplier.
- Must receive the "Guarantee Credit" element of Pension Credit. - Eligibility is automatic. |
| Core Group 2: Eligible Households | - Must have an account with a participating electricity supplier.
- The account must be in the name of the household member or their partner. - Must receive a qualifying benefit or tax credit by the qualifying date (11 August 2024). - Property must have high energy costs (determined by the Valuation Office Agency). - Must meet both "low income" and "high energy costs" criteria. - The electricity supplier on the qualifying date is responsible for the WHD rebate. |
| Core Group 2 Qualifying Benefits | - Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance - Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance - Income Support - "Savings Credit" part of Pension Credit - Universal Credit - Child Tax Credit - Working Tax Credit |
Scotland
| Core Group | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Core Group: Eligible Pensioners | - Must have an account with a participating electricity supplier.
- Must receive the "Guarantee Credit" element of Pension Credit. - Eligibility is automatic for those who meet these criteria. |
| Broader Group: Eligible Low-Income and/or Vulnerable Households | - Must have an account with a participating electricity supplier.
- May qualify if receiving tax credits, means-tested benefits, or on low income in Scotland. - Must apply before 31 March 2024 (no VOA equivalent in Scotland to determine high energy cost). - For more information, contact the Warm Home Discount helpline at 0800 030 9322. |
| Broader Group Qualifying Benefits | - Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance - Income Support - Universal Credit - Housing Benefit - Pension Credit Savings Credit - Child Tax Credit - Working Tax Credit |
How does the Warm Home Discount Scheme work in the UK?
Let’s take a closer look at how the WHD Scheme works in England, Wales, and Scotland:
England and Wales
- 11 August 2024: Qualifying date for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2.
- 14 October 2024: The WHD helpline (0800 030 9322) opens for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2.
- October 2024 – mid-January 2025: Letters will be sent to qualifying customers for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2, confirming automatic rebates or advising you to call the Warm Home Discount helpline to check eligibility.
- 28 February 2025: The WHD helpline closes.
- End of March 2025: The rebate is automatically applied by this date (for qualified customers).
Note: If you have not received a letter by mid-January 2025 but feel you are eligible for rebates, it’s advised to contact the WHD helpline before the end of February 2025.
Scotland
- 11 August 2024: Qualifying date for Core Group.
- 18 September 2024: Broader Group applications open. Applications are reviewed and approved/declined based on eligibility criteria. Contact your energy supplier to check your eligibility.
- 14 October 2024: The WHD helpline (0800 030 9322) for Core Group customers opens.
- October 2024 – mid-January 2025: Letters will be sent to qualifying Core Group customers, confirming automatic rebates or advising you to call the Warm Home Discount helpline to check your eligibility.
- 28 February 2025: The WHD helpline closes for Core Group customers.
- End of March 2025: The rebate is automatically applied by this date (for qualified customers).
Final thoughts
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a government initiative designed to alleviate the financial burden of high energy costs for pensioners and vulnerable households in England, Wales and Scotland.
To ensure you don’t miss out on this opportunity, it’s crucial to familiarise yourself with the eligibility criteria and deadlines. If you believe you may qualify, don’t hesitate to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline at 0800 030 9322 or your energy supplier for further information.
You can call the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline on 0800 030 9322, Monday to Friday between 08:00 and 18:00. Alternatively, you can write to the WHD Scheme:
Warm Home Discount
Blue Zone, Ground Floor Phase 1
Peel Park
Brunel Way
Blackpool
FY4 5ES
UK energy suppliers fund the WHD scheme, with money coming from customers’ bills.
No, only one once-off payment of £150 is allowed per household in the UK.
No, the WHD Scheme is not available in Northern Ireland. You might be interested in the Affordable Warmth Scheme.
Chris Richards
Chris is a personal finance specialist who founded Council Tax Advisors in 2012, assisting over 250,000 people with their Council Tax debt. Observing that many clients overpaid on utilities, he launched Utility Saving Expert in 2014, an energy price comparison site. In 2016, the platform expanded its services to include consumer and business insurance comparisons. Utility Saving Expert stands out with its commitment to social responsibility, donating 10% of net profits to fuel poverty charities, underscoring its dedication to both client value and community support.