Households receiving qualifying means-tested benefits are being urged to check that their name, or their partner’s name, appears on their electricity bill by 23 August 2026. According to the DWP guidance reported by the Manchester Evening News, the discount will normally be applied automatically by energy suppliers rather than paid directly to households.
Who Qualifies for the £150 Warm Home Discount
In England and Wales, eligibility for the winter 2026 to 2027 scheme depends on circumstances on 23 August 2026. Households must use an energy supplier participating in the scheme, receive one of the qualifying means-tested benefits, and have the claimant’s or their partner’s name on the electricity bill.
The qualifying benefits are Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Pension Credit. Households meeting those conditions form what the scheme describes as the “core group”. The same group of benefits applied last winter. Nearly one million additional families with children received support with energy costs during that period after the scheme was expanded.
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said families would be concerned about winter energy bills and that the Government’s focus was on giving them “breathing space”. She also encouraged people to make sure potentially eligible relatives or friends were named on their energy accounts.
That requirement also applies to customers using pre-payment meters. People who top up their electricity using a key or card must ensure the household account is registered in their name if they are to receive the discount in November. According to the DWP, electricity suppliers will apply the £150 reduction directly to eligible bills. The money itself is not transferred to the claimant.
Which Energy Suppliers Are Taking Part
A number of major and smaller suppliers are listed as participants in the winter 2026 to 2027 Warm Home Discount scheme. They include British Gas, EDF, E.ON Next, Octopus Energy, OVO, ScottishPower, So Energy, Utilita and Utility Warehouse.
The full list also includes 100Green, Boost, E, Ecotricity, Fuse Energy, Good Energy, Home Energy, London Power, Outfox Energy, Sainsbury’s Energy, Square 1 Energy Ltd, TruEnergy and Tulo Energy. EnergyCoop customers are directed to Octopus Energy, while Scottish Gas customers are covered through British Gas. The official guidance for the new round of payments is due to reopen in October 2026.
People who were eligible for the previous winter but did not receive their discount by 31 March 2026 are advised to contact their electricity supplier if they have confirmation that they qualified. According to the DWP, that confirmation may include a letter from the Warm Home Discount Scheme, confirmation from its helpline, or notification from an electricity supplier in relevant Scottish low-income cases. Where a supplier cannot resolve the issue, eligible customers with supporting confirmation are advised to write to the Warm Home Discount Scheme for further help.
