What is the Warm Home Discount?

Important information to note

There is no need to apply for the Warm Home Discount scheme if you live in England. Although, you may be requested to contact the WHD Helpline to confirm a few details.

You will not be contacted by the UK Government or Ofgem asking for bank details.

You should not look out for texts, and we advise you not to click on links provided in suspicious texts or emails.

If you are eligible, you should look out for a physical letter by post between October and December 2026 confirming you will get £150 off your electricity bill, or to call the helpline to check if you are eligible. Physical letters will be sent by Warm Home Discount Scheme, PO Box 970, PRESTON, PR2 0FX.

The WHD Helpline will open mid October this year.

Core Group Scheme

If you are on a means-tested benefit, you will qualify for the Warm Home Discount in England. Check you are named on your electricity bill by 23rd August 2026 to get £150.00 towards your energy this winter. If you are not named on the account you may lose out on this support this winter.

Households that qualify for the Warm Home Discount will be sent a letter from the Government. Letters are due to be sent to qualifying customers between October and December 2026, confirming that they are eligible for the rebate and any next steps.

Your letter will say if you will receive a rebate automatically or if you need to call the WHD helpline expected to open mid Oct 2026, to confirm your details before the deadline of 27 February 2027 if you're eligible so you don't miss out on the payment.

The eligibility criteria can be found on https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme.

To qualify

your energy supplier is part of the scheme
your name is on the bill or the account
you or your partner were in receipt of a qualifying means-tested benefit, as listed below, on the qualifying date

Core Group qualifying means-tested benefits

Income related Employment and Support Allowance
Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Universal Credit
Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (PCGC)

Key dates

23 August 2026: is the qualifying date for a WHD Core group rebate. You or your partner must meet the eligibility criteria on this date to be eligible for a rebate. If your benefits claim is backdated to this date or earlier, you may also become eligible for a rebate.
October 2026: The helpline will open for the 2026/27 scheme year. If you are eligible, the energy supplier who supplied your electricity on the qualifying date 23 August 2026 will be responsible for providing the rebate. Between October and December 2026 letters will be sent to qualifying customers for Core Group. The letter will confirm that they are eligible for an automatic rebate or advise you to call a helpline to check if you are eligible. The deadline for contacting the helpline is 26 February 2027. If you are advised to call the helpline, it is important that you do so by the deadline, otherwise you will not be eligible for a rebate.
Mid-January 2027: If you have not received a letter by mid-January 2027, but you think you should be eligible for a rebate under Core Group, please check gov.uk for more information on eligibility and contacting the helpline.
31 March 2027: The supplier will apply the rebate no later than 31 March 2027. The rebate is paid on the electricity bill. Please contact your energy supplier as the Government helpline cannot help with payment issues.

How do I know if I qualify?

Households that qualify for the Warm Home Discount will be sent a letter from HM Government. Letters are due to be sent to qualifying customers between October and December 2026, confirming that they are eligible for the rebate and any next steps.

Your letter will say if you will receive a rebate automatically or if you need to call a helpline by 26 February 2027 to confirm your details.

If you are eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2027.

I have received a letter advising me to contact the helpline. When should I call up?

While most eligible households will receive their rebate automatically, you may receive a letter between October and mid-January 2027 advising you to contact the helpline to determine if you are eligible for a rebate.

How can I check if I am eligible?

If you have not received a letter by January 2027 but you think you should be eligible, please contact the helpline.

What information will I need when I call the helpline?

If you are advised to call the helpline, your letter will explain what you will need to do and the information you will need to hand. You will need:

your letter, which will have your reference number
your electricity bill or statement, as you will need to read out the bill payer's name and account number

I live with my partner who is named on the energy bill, but I am eligible under the criteria. Will we receive the discount?

Under Core Group, either you or your partner can be in receipt of the relevant benefit.

Please ensure you are both named on the account electricity bill or account of a participating supplier to ensure no delays with providing your WHD rebate.

If I have not received a letter and I believe I am eligible, what should I do?

Please contact the Warm Home Discount helpline when it opens later this year.

I am eligible and I've switched to a new supplier; will I still receive the payment?

The rebate will be paid by the energy company who supplied your electricity on 23 August 2026. If you have switched your electricity supply since then, you can contact your old supplier to confirm how they will issue your discount.

I am eligible and I've moved house, how will I receive the payment?

The rebate will be paid by the energy company who supplied your electricity on the 23 August 2026. If you move house after 23 August 2026, you can contact your old electricity supplier to confirm your new address and arrange payment.

I am eligible for a rebate, but my supplier has failed. Will I receive a rebate?

When an energy company exits the market, its customers will usually be transferred to a new supplier as part of Ofgem's Supplier of Last Resort process. We would expect your new supplier to provide you with the rebate. For further information, you should check with your new energy supplier.

When will I get my payment?

If you are confirmed as eligible for a rebate, your energy supplier will apply the discount to your account by 31 March 2027. For any payment issues, please contact your supplier.

Can my payment be applied to my gas account?

If we supply you for both electricity and gas as a dual fuel account, the WHD credit will be added to your credit energy account.

If you have a gas account with a different energy supplier to your electricity, we will apply the payment to your electricity account.

I'm on a prepayment meter, how will I be paid?

This may be applied as a credit directly to your meter if you are on Smart Pay As You Go or through energy vouchers to top up your traditional prepay meter.

Vouchers will be sent by letter if this is your preferred method of contact. Or if you have a registered email on your energy account, your vouchers will be emailed directly from Paypoint from no-reply@paypointsvp.com.