Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has announced that the existing Warm Home Discount scheme will conclude in March 2026. The scheme, which provides a yearly £150 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to the energy suppliers of qualifying households, is anticipated to aid over three million homes this winter.
Additionally, Ms Fahnbulleh mentioned that there will be a consultation “on the future of the scheme beyond 2026” later in the year. This statement came in response to Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan’s inquiry regarding the potential extension of the Warm Home Discount Scheme past its current end date.
In her written reply last week, the Energy Minister confirmed: “The current Warm Home Discount scheme period comes to an end in March 2026. Since the scheme began in 2011, over £4 billion has been provided in support to eligible households.
“The Warm Home Discount is expected to support over 3 million households in Great Britain over winter 2024/25, funded through a levy on all domestic gas and electricity customers. It remains an important support mechanism as energy bills remain high.
“We will consult later this year on the future of the scheme beyond 2026.”
Warm Home Discount Scheme 2024/25
It’s crucial to note that applications for this must be made through the energy supplier, not the DWP. The payment is then made directly to the energy provider, not the claimant, reports the Daily Record.
Eligibility criteria were revised in 2022, meaning some individuals may no longer qualify, while others may need to apply as they won’t automatically receive the discount. Over 25 energy suppliers are participating in the Warm Home Discount Scheme; to verify if your provider is among them, visit their website and search ‘Warm Home Discount’.
Following changes to Winter Fuel Payments, where only those over 66 receiving Pension Credit, Tax Credits or other means-tested benefits will qualify for the annual lump sum of up to £300, it’s vital to check now if you need to claim the Warm Home Discount. Eligible households might also be able to have the £150 discount applied to their gas bill instead – if their supplier provides both gas and electricity, simply contact them once the scheme opens to find out.
Participating Energy Suppliers
The dedicated Warm Home Discount Scheme pages with the full list of participating suppliers is available on GOV.UK.
These include:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Rebel Energy
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
Qualifying for the Warm Home Discount
If you’re a credit customer, the £150 will be credited to your electricity account, and if you’re on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you’ll receive a voucher to top-up your meter. Here’s a summary of the scheme and eligibility rules.
To qualify for the £150 credit, you must have been claiming one of the qualifying scenarios on August 11, 2024. A comprehensive guide to eligibility can be found on GOV.UK.
The method of applying for the Warm Home Discount Scheme varies depending on how you qualify for the discount. .
For those living in England and Wales, qualification also depends on specific conditions. In both eligibility groups, the DWP will assess your energy costs based on your residence. They will then notify you from November if you are eligible.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you qualify for the Warm Home Discount if, on the qualifying date in August, all of the following applied: This is known as being in the ‘core group’ in Scotland and the ‘core group 1’ in England and Wales. .
The scheme remains open until March 31, 2025, for those looking to secure the £150 discount. Eligible households will be notified about the discount via a letter by the end of January 2025. While most qualifying households will receive an automatic discount, some may need to apply directly – it’s best to check with your supplier.
The letter will indicate if you need to call a helpline by February 28, 2025, to confirm your details. If you qualify, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by March 31, 2025.