Warm home discount: Am I eligible and how can I apply?

People will receive money off their energy bills in the form of the warm home discount this winter. 

The discount is a sum of £150 which is given to low-income households with high energy costs, aimed at helping people on low incomes stay warm through the coldest months. 

This money is not paid directly to individuals. It is a one-off discount which is applied to your electricity bill between October 2024 and the end of March 2025. 

It’s there to help people who are most likely to struggle to pay their energy bills over the winter months. 

Here is everything you need to know about the warm home discount – including who gets it, how much it is, how to apply and what to do if you think you should have received the discount but it’s missing.

When is the warm home discount paid?

The warm home discount is applied directly to your electricity bill between early October 2024 and March 31 2025. 

If you are eligible – or if you might qualify but the government needs more information – you should get a letter about it by mid-January 2025.

Who qualifies for the warm home discount?

You should be eligible for the warm home discount if you are on a low income and have high energy costs. 

People who receive the guarantee element of pension credit are eligible for the discount if their energy supplier is part of the scheme. You might also qualify for the discount if you receive certain benefits.

But alongside your income, your energy cost score must also be high. This does not mean your energy bill is expensive – it’s based on your property type, its age and floor area. You can check if you are eligible for the discount through the government’s website.

The discount is not available in Northern Ireland, where there is an affordable warmth scheme instead.

What benefits qualify for the warm home discount?

You could qualify for the discount if you or your partner is getting the guarantee credit element of pension credit, even if you get savings credit too, and has been since at least August 11 2024.

Your name or your partner’s name has to be on the electricity bill, and your energy supplier must be part of the scheme.

If this all applies, it’s known as being in the core group 1 in England and Wales. In Scotland, it’s the core group.

If you don’t get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, you may still be eligible if you’re on a low income or receive other means-tested benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

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In England and Wales, the other qualifying benefits are housing benefits, income-related employment and support allowance (ESA), income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA), income support and universal credit. 

You should also qualify for the warm home discount if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you are receiving child tax credit or working tax credit. 

In Scotland, people are eligible if they get the guarantee element of pension credit or if they’re receiving means-tested benefits or tax credits. Find out if your energy supplier takes part in the scheme.

How to apply for the warm home discount

Most people will get the discount automatically if they are eligible. You’ll get a letter telling you this by mid-January 2025. 

But you do need to apply for the discount if you are based in Scotland and on a low income – in this case, you should contact your electricity supplier to check if you’re eligible and to apply. 

Suppliers decide who gets the discount in Scotland. You cannot apply for the discount by contacting the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

• What benefits can I claim?

The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited so you should contact them as early as possible and check with them even if you were eligible for a discount last year. 

You might be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. You should get in touch with your supplier to find out.

Can I get the warm home discount on a prepayment meter?

Yes, you can get the warm home discount if you’re on a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter. 

Your electricity supplier will tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible. This could be a voucher you can use to top up your meter, in a similar way to the energy rebate given out last year. 

I’m living in a park home. Can I get the warm home discount?

There’s a separate Park Homes Warm Home Discount for people who are living in a park or mobile home. You’ll still get £150 off your bills.

You’re eligible if you’re receiving certain benefits or your total gross annual household income is below £19,978 (before tax and deductions). 

It’s run by the grants organisation Charis. Funding is limited and applications will be considered on a first-come first-served basis. Find out how to apply for the scheme.

How do I contact the DWP about the warm home discount?

If you don’t get a letter and you think you should have done so, you should contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline before February 28 2025. They can be reached on 0800 030 9322, from Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.

They can also be contacted by post using the address: Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 14127, Selkirk, TD7 9AH.

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