More than six million households are eligible for the energy rebate this winter.
Eight energy firms have opened applications for this year’s Warm Home Discount Scheme. Most eligible households in England and Wales will see the £150 discount added automatically to their energy bill this winter, however, the majority of people in Scotland will need to make a claim directly with their provider.
Applications will open to all by the end of this month, but there’s no fixed date as energy supplier’s deal with these claims directly using data provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
However, Money Saving Expert (MSE.com) is keeping tabs on those who are currently accepting applications. These include Scottish Gas, British Gas, Octopus Energy, EDF Energy, Co-op Energy, So Energy, Good Energy and Utility Warehouse.
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Under the UK Government’s Plan for Change, over 6 million (6.1m) households will benefit this winter from the £150 discount, which is paid directly to the supplier. This is an increase of 2.7m households, including 900,000 more families with children and a total of 1.8m households in fuel poverty.
Every billpayer on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit, will now qualify, removing restrictions that previously excluded many who needed help and providing peace of mind to millions more families.
The move will see 240,000 Scottish households receive the discount for the first time this winter.
Commenting on the expansion of the scheme, Minister for Energy Consumers Miatta Fahnbulleh recently said: “We took decisive action earlier this year to expand the Warm Home Discount, giving more working families certainty and peace of mind before winter.
“I now want to make sure as many eligible households as possible get £150 off their energy bill, putting more money in their pockets as part of our Plan for Change.
“If you know someone who might be eligible – please start spreading the word to family and friends, encouraging them to check they are named on their energy bill.”
Warm Home Discount qualifying benefits
People in England and Wales will qualify for the Warm Home Discount this winter if they are receiving one of the following means-tested benefits and are named on the electricity bill, either in their own name, that of their partner, or their legal representative.
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit)
- Universal Credit
For older people in Scotland in receipt of Pension Credit Guarantee Credit and are named on your electricity bill (or your partner or legal representative is), DWP guidance states “you will likely receive the Warm Home Discount automatically”.
Scottish households in receipt of other means-tested benefits will need to apply for the discount directly from their supplier once they open for applications.
Application windows will vary depending on the supplier. check on the dedicated pages of your provider’s website to find out when it is due to open for winter 2025/26.
Full details on the Warm Home Discount Scheme can be found on GOV.UK.
October energy bill increase
Energy bills increased by two per cent on October 1 under the price cap. This means around seven million households on the standard tariff will see annual bills rise from £1,720 to £1,755 from October 1 – a rise of £35 over the coming year.
The increase will see bills increase by around £2.93 a month for the average household, leaving a home on a default tariff paying £102 for what currently costs £100 per month.
Ofgem changes the price cap for households every three months by setting a maximum price energy suppliers can charge people in Scotland, England and Wales for each kilowatt hour of energy they use.
However, it’s crucial to remember the price cap does not limit a household’s total energy bills – people still pay for each unit of gas and electricity they use which means the more you use, the higher the bill and the less you use, the lower the costs.
The price cap will be in place from October 1 until December 31, 2025.