Glossary · UK
What is Warm Home Discount?
A one-off £150 discount applied to the electricity bill of eligible low-income households, usually credited automatically between autumn and early spring.
Full Definition
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 rebate applied directly to an eligible household's electricity account (or paid another way for some prepayment or non-direct-debit customers), rather than sent as a cash payment. Most eligible households are identified automatically by energy suppliers and the DWP through data matching -- typically those receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit, or those on a low income with high energy costs based on a set of qualifying benefits and household characteristics -- so no separate claim is usually needed, though some suppliers still require an application in certain circumstances. The scheme runs on an annual cycle, generally reopening applications in October and applying discounts through to the following March, and the £150 amount and broad eligibility criteria are reviewed periodically by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. Receiving the Warm Home Discount does not affect eligibility for, or the amount of, the Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payments, since the three schemes are administered separately and are designed to be complementary rather than overlapping.