The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 deduction on energy bills which is usually applied automatically.

Energy regulator Ofgem has announced a reduction to the energy price cap this winter but one in three families will still pay more towards their gas and electricity costs.

Households have been forced to contend with rising energy bills and inflation amid the ongoing cost of living crisis.

After a shake-up of the Warm Home Discount scheme in 2022, households in England and Wales who are eligible should get the discount automatically – previously, some had to apply.

To get the warm home discount, one’s supplier needs to offer it, plus they need to meet the eligibility criteria.

Who is eligible for the warm home discount?

Those in England or Wales should get it automatically if they get the ‘guarantee element’ of Pension Credit.

If they or their partner were receiving guarantee credit on August 13, 2023, and their name (or their partner’s) is on their energy bill, they should qualify for the discount as part of what’s known as ‘core group 1’.

Additionally, they are eligible if they are on certain benefits AND have “high energy costs”.

If they receive certain means-tested benefits, such as Income Support or Universal Credit, they may qualify for the discount as part of what’s known as ‘core group 2’.

Britons must have been receiving the qualifying benefit on August 13, 2023.

The other qualifying benefits are:

• Housing Benefit
• income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• the ‘Savings Credit’ part of Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

Households in Scotland on a low income have to apply via their suppliers.

The discount is being applied between October this year and March 31, 2024 and eligible households should receive a letter telling them they qualify.