The Warm Home Discount is back for winter 2025–26, offering a £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible households across England, Scotland, and Wales. (Northern Ireland operates a separate Affordable Warmth Scheme.)

Each year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and energy suppliers contact millions of customers who qualify automatically, so if you’re eligible, you should receive a letter or email between October and December 2025.

Here’s how the scheme works this year, when to expect your letter, and what to do if you don’t receive one.

Key Dates at a Glance

  • Letters and emails sent: October to December 2025.
  • Warm Home Discount Helpline open until: The 29th of February 2026.
  • Discount applied by: The 31st of March 2026.
  • Rebate amount: £150 off your electricity bill.

Mark these dates so you can follow up promptly if your letter hasn’t arrived or if you need to contact the helpline.

What Is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a government scheme that gives eligible households a one-off £150 credit on their electricity bill during winter.

Most eligible people don’t need to apply, the DWP identifies those who qualify automatically. You’re likely to be eligible if you or your partner:

  • Receive Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit), or
  • Get a means-tested benefit such as Universal Credit, Income Support, or Housing Benefit.

If you qualify, your energy supplier will apply the rebate to your account or prepayment meter by the 31st of March 2026.

When Are Letters Sent in 2025–26?

  • October to December 2025: The DWP sends Warm Home Discount confirmation letters or emails.
  • December 2025 to January 2026: Energy suppliers begin applying the credit.
  • By 31 March 2026: All eligible customers should see the £150 credit on their account or meter.

If you haven’t received a letter by January 2026, don’t panic, you may still be eligible.

How Eligibility Is Decided

The DWP works with energy suppliers to identify customers who qualify. There are two main groups:

Core Group 1 – Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) recipients.
You qualify automatically, no application needed.

Core Group 2 – Low-income households on means-tested benefits.
From winter 2025–26, all households receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit are eligible under Core Group 2, the ‘high-energy-cost’ property test has been removed.

Didn’t Get a Letter? Here’s What to Do

If you think you qualify but haven’t received a letter by early January 2026:

  • Check your post and email folders – DWP letters come in plain envelopes, and emails may appear from GOV.UK or your energy supplier.
  • Call the Warm Home Discount Helpline on 0800 030 9322 (open until the 29th of February 2026).
  • Have your details ready: name, address, date of birth, National Insurance number, and energy supplier.
  • Ask the DWP to check your eligibility, they’ll confirm if you qualify under the WHD scheme.

Important: You’ll never be asked for bank details, legitimate DWP or government Warm Home Discount letters will not request payment or account information.

If You’re a Prepayment Meter Customer

If you use a prepayment meter, you’ll still get the £150 rebate, but it may be given differently. Your supplier will usually send a voucher, top-up code, or credit to your meter, either by text, email, or post. Always check your contact details with your supplier and redeem vouchers before they expire.

If You’re Unsure Who Supplies Your Energy

If you’re not sure who your electricity supplier is, you can check using the Find My Supplier website. All you will need is your postcode.

If You’re Not Eligible

If you don’t qualify automatically, other help is still available:

⚠️ ECO4 has closed to new applications — here’s the help you can get nowECO4 grants are no longer available. See the grants and funding you can get now.

Example: How the Warm Home Discount Helps

A retired couple on Pension Credit receive their letter in October 2025 confirming eligibility. Their electricity supplier automatically applies the £150 credit to their December bill, reducing their winter energy costs with no application required.

Stay on Top of Your Winter Support

To make sure you never miss a discount or payment:

  • Keep your energy supplier informed if you move home.
  • Check your contact details are correct.
  • Ensure your benefit records match your current address.
  • Keep an eye on GOV.UK for updates about energy and cost-of-living support.

What This Means for You

The Warm Home Discount remains one of the most important winter support payments.
If you receive a letter between October and December 2025, no action is needed, your discount will be applied automatically. If you haven’t received a letter by January 2026, call the helpline before the deadline to avoid missing out.

Don’t forget

If you receive Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or other means-tested benefits, you could also qualify for free home energy improvements through the government’s ECO4 Scheme and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS).

These national schemes can fund insulation, boiler upgrades, and heating improvements, helping reduce your energy bills and keep your home warm through winter.

Use our Eligibility checker to see if your home qualifies, it takes just two minutes and could help you access grants or upgrades to lower your energy costs this winter.