Warm Home Discount Scheme
If you live in Scotland
You may be eligible if all of the following applied on 23 August 2026:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme
- you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill
For some qualifying benefits, you’ll get the discount automatically. For others, you will need to apply directly to your energy supplier.
When you’ll get the discount automatically
You’ll get the discount automatically if you or your partner:
- get Pension Credit
- get an extra amount of Universal Credit because you or your child has a disability or health condition
- get a disability premium or a pensioner premium of income-related Employment Support Allowance
- get a disability premium or a pensioner premium and have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
You’ll also get the discount automatically if you or your partner has responsibility for a child under 5 who normally lives with you and you:
- are unemployed and get Universal Credit
- get Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
This is known as being in the ‘core group’.
How to get the discount
You’ll get a letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027 if:
- you’re eligible for the scheme
- you might be eligible for the scheme, but you need to give more information
Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you do not get a letter by early January 2027.
If you’re eligible for the scheme, your letter will confirm you do not need to do anything. Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2027.
If you need to give more information, your letter will tell you to call the helpline by 26 February 2027 to confirm your details.
When you’ll need to apply to get the discount
If you do not get the discount automatically, you’ll need to apply directly to your energy supplier.
Your electricity supplier may have extra eligibility criteria. They’ll also tell you which benefits mean you are eligible.
This is known as being in the ‘broader group’.
How to get the discount
Contact your electricity supplier to check if you’re eligible and how to apply.
You should contact them as early as possible. Check with them even if you were eligible for a discount last year. The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited.
If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2027. You’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid.