What is the Warm Home Discount and who can get it in 2026?

Full answer

The Warm Home Discount is a UK government scheme that gives eligible households a one-off rebate credited to their electricity account (or, for some prepayment customers, a voucher) to help with winter energy costs. It is administered by participating energy suppliers under government rules, not paid by HMRC. How it works. Eligibility is based mainly on receiving certain means-tested benefits, such as the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, and on whether your home has high energy costs. For most qualifying households the discount is applied automatically - you receive a letter confirming it - so there is usually no need to apply. The rebate is credited to your electricity bill over the winter months. Important: the rebate amount and the precise qualifying benefits and dates are set by the government for each scheme year and can change. This rate card does not contain the 2026 figure, so check gov.uk and your supplier rather than relying on a remembered amount. Eligibility criteria also differ slightly between England, Wales and Scotland (Scotland operates its own version). Who it affects: pensioners on Pension Credit, and working-age households on qualifying low-income benefits with higher energy costs. The discount is separate from the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment, and you may be entitled to more than one. Good to know: the Warm Home Discount is not taxable income and does not reduce your other benefits or count toward any income limit. If you think you qualify but have not had a confirmation letter, contact your energy supplier - some suppliers do not take part, in which case switching could affect eligibility. There is no calculator on calchub.uk specific to this scheme; to understand your broader take-home position you can use the take-home pay tool, but apply through gov.uk and your supplier for the discount itself.

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