UK Government Expands Warm Home Discount Eligibility

The Government of the United Kingdom expanded eligibility for the Warm Home Discount for the 2026-27 winter period. The one-off £150 energy bill credit is now available to every household receiving a means-tested benefit, removing previous restrictions that limited the payment to a subset of these households.

In England and Wales, the discount is applied automatically to electricity bills for recipients of Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Universal Credit, or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. In Scotland, the process varies, with some recipients receiving the credit automatically and others required to apply directly to their energy suppliers.

Age UK welcomed the expansion of the program but urged ministers to increase the payment to at least £200 in the October 28 Budget to address rising energy costs.