This scheme requires energy suppliers in England, Wales and Scotland with more than 1,000 domestic (not business) customers, by law, to help vulnerable customers pay for electricity by providing a discount of £150. It works differently depending on where you live
If you're in England or Wales...
You should get it automatically if you received one the following means-tested benefits AND you were named on your electricity account or bill on 24 August 2025 (the qualifying date for the payment):
Housing Benefit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit.
You can check if you're eligible to receive the discount using the Government's Warm Home Discount online tool.
If you're in Scotland...
In Scotland, many households still need to apply to get the £150 Warm Home Discount. Payments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limited pot of cash to give out. So you need to apply as soon as possible each year to ensure you don't miss out.
Eligibility is split into two groups, but only some get the rebate automatically:
If you get the 'guarantee element' of Pension Credit, it should come automatically. To be eligible for the automatic payment, you or your partner will need to receive the 'guarantee credit' element of Pension Credit, and your name (or your partner's) will need to be on your electricity bill before the 'qualifying date' – which for this winter was 24 August 2025.
On certain benefits? You may qualify, but you MUST APPLY. If you don't get the 'guarantee element' of Pension Credit, you can still apply providing you get certain benefits under what's known as the 'broader group' criteria. The following benefits entitle you to apply:
Housing Benefit
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
For the full eligibility criteria, plus how to apply if you need to, see our Warm Home Discount guide.
How will I get the cash?
The money isn't paid to you – it's a one-off discount on your electricity bill, given usually between October and March.
If you're on prepay, your supplier can tell you how to claim it – usually it's a voucher worth £150 for your meter.
How do I know which suppliers offer the Warm Home Discount if I'm switching?
In Cheap Energy Club, our results do show which suppliers offer the Warm Home Discount via a little icon on the tariff cards. Do note we don't factor the £150 discount into the costs or savings shown.