Millions of households across Britain are set to receive a welcome £150 reduction on their energy bills this winter, as major suppliers begin applying the Warm Home Discount.
Leading energy companies including British Gas, Octopus, Eon, EDF and OVO are automatically applying the one-off £150 credit to eligible customers' accounts between November 2025 and March 2026, with most payments expected before January 2026.
Who Qualifies for the Payment?
Significant rule changes mean that millions more households will benefit from the Warm Home Discount this year. Crucially, everyone who claims Universal Credit will now see their bills reduced by their energy supplier.
Other qualifying benefits include Housing Benefit, Income Support and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Previously, only some households receiving these benefits qualified, making this effectively a new cost-of-living payment for many.
Low-income pensioners receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will continue to receive the discount as in previous years.
How Will You Receive the Money?
The discount will arrive as energy credit applied directly to electricity accounts for most customers. For those on prepayment meters, suppliers will issue vouchers that can be used to top up meters at Post Offices.
British Gas confirmed: "If you qualify for the winter 2025/26 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied between November 2025 and March 31, 2026 at the latest."
This financial support comes at a critical time, helping to ease cost-of-living pressures and freeing up cash for other essential spending during the expensive Christmas period.
