Starting next month, millions of UK households will begin receiving letters confirming their eligibility for a £150 discount on energy bills under the Warm Home Discount scheme. This initiative, run by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), offers financial relief on electricity bills for eligible households during the colder months, between October and March. The letters, which usually come from your energy supplier, will inform you if you qualify for the discount.
How the Energy Discount Works
If you’re eligible, the £150 discount will be applied directly to your energy account by your supplier. For prepay meter customers, the discount is provided in the form of a top-up voucher. In Scotland, individuals on a low income must apply for the scheme, while in England and Wales, most eligible customers receive the discount automatically. It's important to note that this benefit does not extend to residents in Northern Ireland.
In addition to electricity discounts, some households may also apply the Warm Home Discount to their gas bill, provided they receive both gas and electricity services from the same supplier and meet the eligibility criteria.
Who Qualifies for the Warm Home Discount?
Eligibility for the £150 discount falls into two main categories:
- Core Group 1: In England, Wales, and Scotland, this includes households where either the recipient or their partner receives the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit.
- Core Group 2: This includes low-income households in England and Wales that claim certain benefits and have high energy costs. Most people in this group automatically receive the discount.
Eligible benefits include:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Housing Benefit
- Child and Working Tax Credits
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
While the exact qualifying week for this year's scheme hasn’t been confirmed yet, it is expected to be similar to last year's date, which was August 13, 2023.
Participating Energy Providers
Not all energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, so it’s important to check whether your provider is participating. Below is a list of suppliers that were part of last year's program, with the likelihood that they will participate again this year:
- British Gas
- EDF
- E.ON Next
- Octopus Energy
- ScottishPower
- OVO
- Shell Energy Retail
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
This list includes over 25 providers, including smaller companies like Bulb Energy, Co-op Energy, and Good Energy. However, participation has yet to be officially confirmed for this year.
Next Steps
If you think you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount, watch out for a letter from your energy provider in the coming weeks. For those in Scotland on a low income, applications may be required. It’s a good idea to confirm with your energy supplier whether they are part of this year’s scheme.