Warm Home Discount

Discover everything you need to know about the Warm Home Discount. Find out what the Warm Home Discount means, if you're eligible and, how much and when you'll receive yours.

What is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off government scheme and payment that gives financial help to people finding it difficult to pay their energy bills. The Warm Home Discount replaced Social Energy Tariffs in April 2011.

Warm Home Discount amount

If you’re eligible for the Warm Home Discount, you will receive a one-off payment of £150, which will appear as a one-off discount on your electricity bill.

The Warm Home Discount scheme is currently closed, but will reopen in October 2024.

Warm Home Discount eligibility

There are two ways to be eligible for the Warm Home Discount, either being part of either:

• The ‘Core Group’ - you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit 
• The ‘Broader Group’ - you’ve been assessed as being on a low income and your energy supplier is part of the scheme (and you meet their criteria).

The Core Group (Guarantee Credit element of Pension credit)

You or your partner will be part of the Core Group if one of the following applies to you:

• You’re receiving only the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit
  
• You’re at least 65 years of age, and either of you receives the Guarantee and Savings element of Pension Credit

The Broader Group (Low income/Energy supplier)

You can receive the Warm Home Discount if you receive one of:

• Universal Credit
• A low income (less than £16,190)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support

Combined with:

• Parental custody of a child aged five or under
• Child Tax Credit
• Disability, Enhanced Disability or Severe Disability Premiums
• Disabled Child Premium or Element
• Long-term Incapacity Benefit
• Pensioner Premium, Higher Pensioner Premium or Enhanced Pensioner Premium
• Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payments (PIP)

Which energy suppliers are part of the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

The following providers are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme:-

• British Gas
• Bulb Energy
• E.ON
• EDF
• Octopus Energy
• Outfox the Market
• OVO
• Rebel Energy (if you live in Scotland, you must be part of the 'core group' to be eligible with this supplier)
• Scottish Power
• Shell Energy
• So Energy
• SSE
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse

I have a prepayment meter. Am I still eligible for the Warm Home Discount?

If you use a prepayment meter, you can still qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme. If eligible, your energy supplier will organise for how the discount will be applied. For example, you may receive a voucher to top up your meter.

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