Millions of households across the UK are set to receive a £150 discount on their electricity bills this winter, with the Government urging eligible customers to check their energy account details before a key August deadline. Around six million households are expected to benefit from the Warm Home Discount scheme during the 2026/27 winter, including around 250,000 households in Scotland who will receive the rebate automatically for the first time.
Check your electricity bill details
The Government is reminding eligible customers to ensure they are named on their electricity bill before Sunday 23 August, as suppliers will use customer records from that date to determine eligibility for automatic payments. Those who have recently moved home or whose name is not on the account could miss out if they fail to update their details.
Who is eligible?
Every household where the billpayer receives certain means-tested benefits will qualify for the rebate. In England and Wales, this includes people receiving:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
The eligibility criteria remain the same as last winter.
Which suppliers are taking part?
The Government confirmed that 26 energy suppliers are participating in the scheme, including:
- British Gas
- EDF
- E.ON Next
- Octopus Energy
- OVO
- ScottishPower
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
- Good Energy
- Ecotricity
- So Energy
- London Power
along with a number of smaller suppliers.
Government statement
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh said families remain concerned about energy costs and encouraged anyone who may qualify to check their account details. She said:
“Families will be worried about their energy bills this winter and our focus is on giving them breathing space, as we continue to work to bring down bills.”
She also urged people to spread the word so that eligible households do not miss out on the payment. The Government said the £150 rebate forms part of its wider cost-of-living support package and follows the decision to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, which ministers say will reduce annual household energy costs.
