Major energy suppliers across the United Kingdom have begun issuing crucial financial support to millions of customers, providing a welcome boost to household budgets in time for the festive season.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
This vital support comes in the form of the £150 Warm Home Discount, a one-off payment designed to help some of the most vulnerable families with their energy costs over the winter. The discount is applied directly as a credit to electricity and gas accounts, or for those using pre-payment meters, a voucher is issued that can be topped up at a Post Office.
This financial aid is particularly significant this year, as new qualifying rules mean that millions more households are eligible for the first time.
Who is eligible for the payment?
The expansion of the scheme means that now, everyone who claims Universal Credit will receive the discount. Eligibility has also been extended to people receiving other benefits, including Housing Benefit, Income Support, and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA).
Previously, only some households on these benefits qualified. As in previous years, low-income pensioners who receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit will also get the energy bill reduction.
Energy suppliers, including British Gas, Octopus, Eon, EDF, and OVO, have started the process of writing to customers to inform them about this financial boost.
When will customers receive the money?
While the support is being rolled out from November 2025, most eligible residents are expected to receive their discount between November and January 2026.
In an official statement, British Gas confirmed the timeline: "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, with most customers receiving their WHD before January 2026."
Despite the positive news, some concerns have been raised regarding the speed of the payments, with worries that the support may not reach all those in need quickly enough during the costly Christmas period.
