Claimants need to be with 24 suppliers – listed – and also potentially have to take action within 2 weeks
£150 is available to people on 4 benefits – but they may need to check their power supplier(Image: Getty)
Officials have confirmed that people on four benefits will get £150 discounts on bills – but only if they are with one of 24 power companies. Millions of people are set to get a £150 discount on their energy bills this winter – but they need to do some admin now so they don’t miss out.
People receiving means-tested benefits are automatically entitled to the Warm Home Discount, as long as they are named as their household’s energy bill payer. They need to be named on their energy bill by 23 August to get the support, so it’s a good idea to check it now and make any necessary changes.
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name. Energy customers have been told that 24 companies have signed up to a scheme which will give millions a £150 boost straight into their accounts.
The government says around six million households are in line to receive the discount after the scheme was expanded last year.
In England and Wales, households in receipt of the following benefits are eligible:
- Housing benefit
- Income-related employment and support allowance
- Pension credit
- Universal credit
Around six million households will get the rebate this winter, including around 250,000 automatically for the first time in Scotland. However the DW{ has urged eligible households to check they are named on their bill to get the Warm Home Discount automatically.
Every household where the billpayer is on means-tested benefits is in line for the rebate. In England and Wales, households in receipt of Housing Benefit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit and Universal Credit will be eligible – the same cohort as last winter.
This follows the immediate action taken by the Prime Minister to remove VAT from domestic electricity bills from 1 October, as one of his first decisions in office, saving £45 off the yearly Ofgem price cap. The government said the reminder follows immediate action to remove VAT from electricity bills from 1 October, giving people breathing space on the cost-of-living
The following suppliers will be part of the winter 2026 to 2027 scheme:
- 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
- Boost
- British Gas
- E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
- Ecotricity
- EDF
- EnergyCoop – see Octopus Energy
- E.ON Next
- Fuse Energy
- Good Energy
- Home Energy
- London Power
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox Energy
- OVO
- Sainsbury’s Energy
- Scottish Gas – see British Gas
- ScottishPower
- So Energy
- Square 1 Energy Ltd
- TruEnergy
- Tulo Energy
- Utilita
- Utility Warehouse
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh 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. Almost a million more families with children received the £150 Warm Home Discount last winter, after we expanded scheme.
“If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy bill. “
The government is issuing a call to eligible households to check they are named on their electricity bill, with suppliers set to rely on customers’ records as of Sunday 23 August.
Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house.
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household’s account is registered in their name.
Earlier this year the government confirmed that millions of eligible households will receive the Warm Home Discount for the rest of the decade, with the scheme set to continue through to 2030/1.
Last year’s Budget has taken an average £150 of costs off energy bills, which is factored into bills for the years to come. The government said the Warm Homes Plan will also reduce energy use, lower bills for millions of households and help lift households out of fuel poverty.