Millions of households across Britain are being urged to check their eligibility for a crucial £150 energy bill discount, as the regulator confirms prices are set to rise again in the new year.
What is the Warm Home Discount?
The Warm Home Discount scheme provides a one-off £150 discount applied directly to the energy bills of eligible households. This annual support is becoming increasingly vital, with the energy price cap confirmed to rise by 0.2% for the period covering January to March 2026.
This upcoming increase follows a recent 2% rise in October, which took the price cap to £1,775. With six million households potentially eligible for the support, finance expert Martin Lewis is encouraging people to act.
How Does the Discount Work?
Martin Lewis explained the mechanics of the scheme: "The £150 is typically deducted from your electricity bill, but you may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead, as long as your supplier provides both your gas and electricity." He advised that customers should contact their supplier directly to confirm where the discount will be applied.
The application process differs across the UK. In England and Wales, most eligible households should receive the discount automatically. However, the situation in Scotland is different, with some residents required to apply directly. Similarly, those living in park homes must also submit an application.
Energy suppliers typically open their application processes in September or October. There is no equivalent scheme in Northern Ireland, though other forms of support may be available.
Who is Eligible and How to Claim
To qualify for the discount, you must be a customer of one of the 28 participating energy suppliers and be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
According to MoneySavingExpert, eligible individuals should receive a letter by early January 2026 confirming their discount. The 28 suppliers offering the scheme are:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Boost
- British Gas
- Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
- Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy
- E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- E.ON Next
- EDF
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox Energy
- OVO
- Sainsbury's Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- Shell Energy Retail
- So Energy
- Square 1 Energy Ltd
- Tomato Energy
- TruEnergy
- Tulo Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
With energy bills continuing to place pressure on household finances, checking your eligibility for this support could provide significant financial relief this winter.
