With the steep rise in energy bills, ensure you’re fully informed about the Warm Home Discount scheme – it’s financial assistance available from the government to help keep your heating costs down this year. If you’re over 60 and receiving the state pension you might qualify. You could also qualify if you’re receiving any one of Universal Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Housing Benefit.
1 What you’ll get
In 2024, you could get £150 off your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The money isn’t paid to you – it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill between November and March.
The discount won’t affect your Winter Fuel Payment or any Cold Weather Payment.
To get this help with your energy bills, you’ll also need to make sure that you’ve claimed pension credit, or claimed one from the list of other benefits below that prove you’re on a low income and have high energy costs.
Is your electricity supplier part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
Receive a list of suppliers who are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, and a monthly newsletter and email alert confirming details of changes to the Energy Price Cap as they're announced, who will qualify and how to claim.
Pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meters
You can also qualify for the Warm Home Discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter. Your electricity supplier can tell you how you’ll get the discount if you’re eligible (see below), for example a voucher you can use to top up your meter.
2 Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount
You qualify for the Warm Home Discount if all of the following apply:
- your electricity supplier was part of the scheme
- your name (or your partner’s) was on the bill
- you were getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well)
If you don’t qualify You may be able to apply directly to your electricity supplier for help if you don’t get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit but:
- you’re on a low income
- your property has a high energy cost score based on its characteristics
- you receive any of the following means-tested benefits: Universal Credit, Income Support, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance or Housing Benefit.
- You could also qualify if your household income falls below a certain threshold and you get either Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.
Check with your electricity supplier to see if you’re eligible and how to apply.
| The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2024 has opened, and you must claim by 29th February 2024.
For information on next year’s scheme when it’s announced, sign up to our Newsletter updates.
3 How to Claim The Warm Home Discount
If you qualify for the discount, you’ll get a letter this autumn or winter telling you either:
- you don’t have to apply – you’ll get the discount automatically
- to apply by February 2024 – the letter will tell you why and how
You’ll receive a letter between October 2023 and January 2024 telling you about the discount if you’re eligible.
Most eligible households will receive an automatic discount. Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline by February 2024 to confirm your details.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2024.
Warm Home Discount Scheme Telephone: 0345 603 9439 Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm Find out about call charges
Warm Home Discount Team 2.1.P Peel Park Brunel Way Blackpool FY4 5ES
Further help with energy bills: All UK households will automatically receive a £400 energy grant this winter. If you’re receiving the State Pension you will also be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £600 >
How to get a Cold Weather Payment >
Is your electricity supplier part of the Warm Home Discount scheme?
Receive a list of suppliers who are part of the Warm Home Discount scheme, and a monthly newsletter and email alert confirming details of changes to the Energy Price Cap as they're announced, who will qualify and how to claim.