The Warm Home Discount Scheme offers a £150 one-off credit for the 2026-2027 scheme year, designed to help eligible households in England, Wales, and Scotland with their electricity bills during the colder months1. This government-backed initiative aims to alleviate financial pressure by directly applying the discount to your electricity bill2. Understanding the eligibility criteria and how the discount is applied is crucial for managing your household finances effectively.
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The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme designed to provide financial relief to those who need it most, ensuring energy costs are more manageable during winter.
A one-off payment for eligible households
The Warm Home Discount for the 2026-2027 scheme year is a £150 one-off credit, not a cash payment, that is applied directly to your electricity bill. This discount helps reduce the cost of energy for eligible customers across England, Wales, and Scotland. The scheme reopens in October 2026 for the winter 2026 to 2027 period, with the discount typically applied between December and March 2027.
Who manages the scheme?
The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme regulated by Ofgem, the UK's energy regulator. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) plays a key role in determining eligibility for most households in England, Wales, and Scotland.
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount scheme is typically determined by the DWP for most of Great Britain, with a separate 'Broader Group' for Scotland. The scheme reopens in October 2026 for the winter 2026 to 2027 period.
Core group 1 (England, Wales, and Scotland)
You are likely to qualify if, on a qualifying day in August 2026, all three of the following apply:
- You receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), or Income Support.
- Your name (or your partner's) is on your electricity bill.
- Your energy supplier is part of the Warm Home Discount scheme.
For this group, payments are automatic, meaning you do not need to apply. The DWP sends weekly lists of eligible customers to suppliers.
It is important to note that if you switched to a new energy supplier after the qualifying date (24 August 2025 for the previous scheme year), your previous supplier was responsible for applying the discount.
Core group 2 (Scotland only)
In Scotland, there is also a 'Broader Group' for which you may need to apply directly to your energy supplier. Fuse Energy will open applications for this group in October 2026.
Park home residents
If you live in a park home and pay the site owner for your electricity, you might qualify under a separate Park Home Warm Home Discount scheme. This scheme typically requires an application and has specific eligibility criteria, such as a household income below £20,328 a year for the 2026-2027 scheme year, or someone in the household receiving a qualifying benefit.
The £150 discount for the 2026-2027 scheme year is a credit applied directly to your electricity bill. It is not a cash payment. For eligible Core Group 1 customers, the payment is automatic. Fuse Energy cannot override eligibility decisions made by the DWP. The discount for the 2026-2027 scheme year is typically applied to your account between December and March 2027.
Beyond government support, exploring ways to improve your home's energy efficiency can also help manage costs. For example, understanding the efficiency of air source heat pumps can be a step towards a more energy-efficient home.
The Warm Home Discount scheme covers England, Wales, and Scotland. Northern Ireland operates its own separate energy support schemes.
How do I apply for the Warm Home Discount?
For most eligible households in England, Wales, and Scotland (Core Group 1), the discount for the 2026-2027 scheme year is applied automatically, and you do not need to apply. If you are in Scotland's 'Broader Group' or a park home resident, you may need to apply directly to your energy supplier or through a separate scheme. Fuse Energy will open applications for the Scottish 'Broader Group' in October 2026.
When is the Warm Home Discount paid?
The Warm Home Discount for the 2026-2027 scheme year is typically applied to eligible customers' electricity bills between December and March 2027.
