Energy schemes - Warm Home Discount Scheme (England, Scotland, Wales)

The Warm Home Discount scheme has been reformed for Winter 2022-23.

Some people who did not previously get help might get help now.

Some people who were previously able to get help might not get help anymore.

The Warm Home Discount scheme gives £150 off energy bills over winter.

The scheme is different this year in Scotland compared to England and Wales.

England and Wales

Who qualifies for the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

• Core group 1: People who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

  • You qualify for the discount if all of the following apply:

    • Your energy supplier is part of the scheme 
    • Your name (or your partner’s) is on the bill
    • You get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you get Savings Credit as well).

• Core group 2: other people who are fuel-poor

  • You may qualify for the discount if you get one of the following benefits

    • Universal Credit

    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance

    • income-based Jobseekers Allowance

    • Income Support

    • Housing Benefit

    • Child Tax Credits

    • Working Tax Credits

    • Pension Credit savings credit

  • You do not need to apply for the discount. Your energy company will get information from the DWP about what benefits you are claiming. It will then apply further checks to see if you are likely to be in the most vulnerable group of households. If it decides you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, it will contact you to let you know.

  • Your energy company might contact you to ask you for more information to help it decide if you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount.

Pre-pay meters

If you have a pre-pay or pay-as you go electricity meter, you can still get the discount.

How do I apply for the Warm Homes Discount?

No one should need to apply for the Warm Home Discount in 2022/23. The energy suppliers will assess if you are eligible and contact you if you are.

If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit

You should get a letter telling you how to get the discount if you qualify. If you don't get a letter and you think you are in core group 1, contact your energy supplier.

If you are in core group 2

Just getting one of the qualifying benefits does not mean you will be able to get the Warm Home Discount.

Your energy supplier will do checks to see if you fall into the most fuel poor households category. 

Park (mobile) homes

You apply a different way if you live in a park home (mobile home). Applications are closed now.

Scotland

Who can get the Warm Home Discount?

There are two groups who can get the Warm Home Discount: the core group and the broader group.

• Core group: pension age people who get guarantee pension credit
  • You or your partner have to be getting guarantee pension credit
  • You or your partner have to be the named person on your energy bill
  • Your energy supplier has to be part of the Warm Home Discount scheme
• Broader group: low income households that are not part of the core group
  • You or your partner need to be responsible for a child under 5, or you need to be disabled, or you need to have a disabled child
  • You also need to be getting one of the following benefits:
    • Income Support
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
    • income-based Jobseekers Allowance
    • Universal Credit, and earnings less than £1,418 per month
    • Child Tax Credits, and earnings less than £17,005 per year
  • Your energy company has to be part of the Warm Home Discount scheme.

How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?

If you are in the Core group, there is no need to apply.

If you are in the Broader Group, you do need to apply. Contact your energy company to find out when applications open. The scheme will have more applicants than places, so make sure you apply as soon as possible.

How is the Warm Home Discount paid?

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off discount of £150 on your electricity bill. You don't get any money.

If your supplier provides you with gas and electricity, you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead of your electricity bill. Contact your supplier to find out if you can do this if you are eligible for the discount.

When is it available?

The scheme opens each year in September or October and runs until the end of March the following year.

Does having the Warm Homes Discount affect any other benefits paid to help with cold weather?

No, it won't affect Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments. It also does not affect the extra cost of living help.

Updated: August 2022