The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a government initiative designed to support low-income households and pensioners with their energy costs.
With energy price rises it is more important than ever to understand what financial assistance is available. The scheme can provide much-needed relief by offering a one-off discount on your electricity bill.
Find out more about how the Warm Home Discount Scheme works, how much the payment is, and how to apply.
What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?
The Warm Home Discount Scheme was launched in 2011 to help low-income families and vulnerable people manage their energy bills.
The scheme provides eligible households with a yearly one-off payment off their electricity bill, which increased from £140 to £150 in winter 2022. The government has now confirmed an expansion of the Warm Home Discount Scheme to support nearly three million more households.
With energy debts reaching record levels of £3.8 billion, the government’s expanded Warm Home Discount Scheme forms part of a wider effort to provide financial relief and lower household energy costs.
How do I apply?
The Warm Home Discount Scheme payment is automatically applied to eligible customers' electricity bills between October and March.
If your energy supplier offers both gas and electricity, you may be able to receive the discount on your gas bill instead.
To qualify, your energy provider must be part of the scheme. The full list of available suppliers can be found on the government's website. The government expects to provide more information on the 2025/26 payment schedule later this year.
Who is eligible?
What About Prepayment Meters?
You can still qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Your energy supplier will be able to tell you how the discount will be calculated and delivered, providing you are eligible.
You can qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme in one of two ways:
- If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you should automatically receive the discount each year.
- If you are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme, or have high energy costs, you may also be eligible.
Households on prepayment meters can still qualify for the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Your energy provider will determine how the discount is applied, such as through a voucher or direct account credit.
If you already receive the Cold Weather Payment or Winter Fuel Payment, you can still benefit from the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
What other financial Assistance is Available?
If you are struggling to afford your energy costs then try our energy-saving tips and check out these available schemes to access funding towards making your house cheaper to run:
- Energy price cap protections: The energy price cap, which sets a maximum price per unit of energy, is in place to ensure fair pricing for consumers.
- Debt Relief Scheme: Ofgem has proposed a new scheme to help households struggling with unmanageable energy debts by offering debt write-offs or payment matching.
- Heat pump grants: Available across the UK to help with the cost of installing energy-efficient heating systems.
- Insulation grants: Funding for cavity wall and loft insulation to lower energy costs in the long term.
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO4): A scheme that supports households in making free energy-efficient home improvements.
As energy debts and prices continue to rise, the Warm Home Discount Scheme is a crucial source of support for millions of households. If you’re struggling with your bills, contact your energy supplier to find out what assistance is available, including the possibility of switching to a fixed-rate tariff to lock in a lower rate.
The Warm Home Discount Scheme is just one of many initiatives aimed at helping households manage rising energy costs.
With the price cap increasing and debts accumulating, ensuring you take full advantage of available support can help you keep your home warm and affordable.
