What is the Warm Home Discount and how can I apply?

It’s a government-backed scheme to help reduce costs if you’re on low income, getting certain benefits and struggling to pay your electricity or gas bills. 

So how do you know if you are eligible, if you need to apply and how to get this discount? Here at MoneyHelper, we have put together the answers to some of those all important questions.  

The Warm Home Discount will give you £150 off your electricity bill for the winter period bills between October 2023 and March 2024, if you qualify. This discount is not available in Northern Ireland.

If you’re a homeowner or a private renter in Northern Ireland and have a household income of less than £23,000, find out more about the affordable warmth schemeOpens in a new window in Northern Ireland.

The money isn’t paid directly to you. Instead, a discount is applied to your electricity bill. You could get also money off your gas bill if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity (known as a dual fuel tariff).

You might be able to get a Warm Home discount if you fall into any of these core groups.

To qualify:

• you or your partner’s or spouse’s name has to be on the bill 
• you or your partner or spouse are getting the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit 
• you are with an energy supplier that offers the Warm Home Discount. 

To qualify:

• You'll need to be with an energy supplier that offers the Warm Home Discount.
• You’re on a low income, get certain means-tested benefits and are in or at risk of fuel poverty.

Countries in the UK measure Fuel Poverty differently:  

• In England, you’re assessed on whether you have a low income and high household costs.
• In Scotland and Wales, you’re assessed as being in fuel poverty if you spend more than 10% of your household income on energy costs.
• In Northern Ireland, the Warm Home Discount isn’t available but there are energy and grant schemes that may help with energy money saving.

The list of benefits that would qualify you to receive the Warm Home Discount changed in 2022. If you don’t receive a letter about Warm Home Discount by mid-January but you think you should qualify for it, you can call the scheme’s helpline on 0800 030 9322 before 29 February 2024.

Whether you qualify for Warm Home Discount as part of core group 2 will depend on your income and your energy costs, but you may be eligible if you’re getting one of the following means tested benefits:

• Universal Credit (low income elements) 
• Income Support
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income related Employment and Support allowance (which includes a work-related activity or support component)
• Housing Benefit
• Child Tax CreditOpens in a new window (if your income is below a certain amount) 
• Working Tax CreditOpens in a new window (if your income is below a certain amount). 

Universal Credit must also include one of these payments:

• Child element for children aged 5 or under
• Disabled child element
• A disability or pensioner premium.

For Scotland, each energy supplier has their own criteria for who qualifies for the low income broader group.

If you don’t automatically qualify for Warm Home Discount, it might be because the government doesn’t have enough information about you or your energy costs. You can call the helpline on 0800 030 9322 before the end of February 2024 to appeal their decision.

You might be asked for documents to prove your eligibility like an energy bill with your name on it or proof that you receive benefits.

They might also ask you for an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your home. You can look yours up for free on the EPC RegisterOpens in a new window or the Scottish EPC RegisterOpens in a new window According to MoneySavingExpertOpens in a new window “The Government has said that they will accept expired EPCs this year."

If nothing is coming up for your address:  

• for renters you should get in touch with your landlord, as all rental properties legally must have an EPC when they are rented out

• If you own your home, getting an EPC can cost between £35-£120, or the DWP can look up details of your home on the Land Registry (there’s a £3 fee).  

It’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth the cost of getting an EPC to claim the £150 Warm Home Discount. EPCs last for 10 years, but there’s no guarantee that you’ll qualify in future years.  

Core group 1 and core group 2 no longer need to apply for the Warm Home Discount in England and Wales. Your supplier should know whether you qualify already. If you live in Scotland and are eligible for Warm Home Discount because of a low income, you’ll need to contact your supplier as soon as possible as they only have a limited number of discounts available. 

However, for most the discount is now automatically applied each year. 

If you’re with an energy supplier that doesn’t offer Warm Home Discount, but you still qualify for it, can switch to a company that provides it if that would save you money.

Most energy companies do have Warm Home Discount, you can find a list of suppliers at GOV.UKOpens in a new window

The Warm Home Discount is available to you if you live in a park home, however you will need to apply for it. More details about the discount is available at GOV.UKOpens in a new window

If you are on a low income and live in Scotland, check your supplier’s website for when you can apply for Warm Home Discount. This is usually in the autumn and you should receive your payment by the end of March.  

If you don’t live in Scotland or live in Scotland but get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you do not need to apply.  

Most energy suppliers do offer this discount. However, not all suppliers take part in the Warm Home Discount scheme. 

If you qualify for the discount and your current supplier doesn’t offer it, you might want to switch supplier to one who does. 

If you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go meter, you can still qualify for the discount.  Make sure you let your electricity supplier know and providing you are eligible, they will automatically apply the discount.

No, payment of a Warm Home Discount does not affect your entitlement to a Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment.