£150 Warm Home Discount: Checks to make before October

Millions of low income households can get a £150 discount on electricity bills as part of the Warm Home Discount.

The scheme reopens in October 2026 - just weeks away.

If you think you could qualify, there are some checks you should be making now.

In England and Wales, you qualify if you receive certain means-tested benefits and your name, or your partner's name, is on the electricity bill.

The qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Pension Credit

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

You must also be with an energy supplier that participates in the scheme.

How to apply for the Warm Home Discount scheme - check the name on your electricity bill

The Warm Home Discount is normally applied automatically to your electricity bill rather than being paid directly to you.

You shouldn't need to make a separate claim - but it is important to check whose name is on the electricity bill.

This is because the eligible households are identified through its electricity supplier.

And the qualifying person's name, or their partner's name, generally needs to be linked to the electricity account.

For the 2026/27 scheme, the 23 August 2026 was the qualifying date used to match customer and benefit records.

If you it wasn't right on this date, it doesn't mean you've missed out but you should contact your supplier to get the correct name added and apply for the discount.

Check whether you receive a qualifying benefit

The Warm Home Discount isn't just for pensioners.

In England and Wales, eligibility includes households receiving certain means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit and Universal Credit, although the precise qualifying rules apply.

This means you should check your current benefit entitlement before the scheme opens.

If your circumstances have changed since you last checked your benefits – for example, your household income has fallen or you have started receiving Universal Credit – you could now qualify.

The qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit

• Housing Benefit

• Pension Credit

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Warm Home Discount 2026/27 list of energy suppliers

The Warm Home Discount is delivered through participating electricity suppliers - and not all offer the scheme.

If you have recently switched supplier, check whether your new provider participates in the scheme before assuming the £150 will automatically appear on your account.

This is particularly important if you're considering switching energy tariffs or suppliers before winter.

If you're eligible but your supplier does not participate in the scheme, you may not receive the discount in the same way.

The following suppliers are part of the winter 2026 to 2027 scheme:

• 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)

• Boost

• British Gas

• E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)

• Ecotricity

• EDF

• EnergyCoop – see Octopus Energy

• E.ON Next

• Fuse Energy

• Good Energy

• Home Energy

• London Power

• Octopus Energy

• Outfox Energy

• OVO

• Sainsbury’s Energy

• Scottish Gas – see British Gas

• ScottishPower

• So Energy

• Square 1 Energy Ltd

• TruEnergy

• Tulo Energy

• Utilita

• Utility Warehouse

Warm Home Discount if you use a prepayment meter

You can still receive the Warm Home Discount if you use a prepayment meter.

If you qualify, your supplier will explain how the £150 is provided. Often it is a voucher that is used to top up the meter rather than a straightforward credit appearing on a normal electricity bill.

So if you use a prepayment meter, make sure your supplier has your current contact details and keep an eye out for communications about the payment.

Don't throw away a letter or voucher from your supplier without checking what it relates to.

When will I get the £150 Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount scheme opens in October, but that does not mean everyone will receive the £150 during the first few days of the month.

Payments can be made from October 2026 through to 31 March 2027.

So don't panic if you see other households receiving their discount before you.

If you're eligible, check your electricity bills and correspondence from your supplier over the winter.

If you have been told you qualify but the discount has not been applied by the end of March 2027, you should contact your supplier.