- It is “a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill”, applied by your supplier. GOV.UK says: “The money is not paid to you.”1
- In England and Wales you may qualify if, on 23 August 2026, you or your partner got Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related ESA, your name or your partner's was on the electricity bill, and your supplier is in the scheme.23
- Letters go out between late October 2026 and early January 2027. If yours asks for more information, call the helpline by 26 February 2027.3
- It is not available in Northern Ireland.1
- Last checked: 28 October 2026.
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Who qualifies in England and Wales
GOV.UK: “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.”3
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero lists the qualifying benefits for 2026 to 2027 as: Pension Credit (both the Guarantee element and Savings Credit), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.2
If you are still on a benefit that is moving to Universal Credit, the statement says that “should not preclude” you from being eligible if you were getting it on the qualifying date.2
Ofgem's eligibility page still lists six benefits for England and Wales, but it also says the qualifying benefits “will be confirmed in the eligibility statement issued by DESNZ”. This page follows the DESNZ statement.6
What happens next: letters and deadlines
You will get a letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027 if you are eligible, or if you might be eligible but need to give more information.3
If you are eligible, the letter confirms you do not need to do anything. Your supplier “will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2027.”3
If the letter asks for more information, it will tell you to call the helpline by 26 February 2027.3
No letter by early January 2027 and you think you are eligible? GOV.UK: “You must contact them before 26 February 2027.”5
If you live in Scotland
Scotland uses the same qualifying date, 23 August 2026, but different groups.4
Core group (automatic): you or your partner get Pension Credit; or an extra amount of Universal Credit because you or your child has a disability or health condition; or a disability or pensioner premium with income-related ESA; or a disability or pensioner premium and a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.4
You are also in the core group if you or your partner are responsible for a child under 5 who normally lives with you and you are unemployed and get Universal Credit, get income-related ESA, or have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.4
Broader group: if you do not get it automatically, apply to your electricity supplier, which sets its own criteria. GOV.UK: “The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited.” Contact them as early as possible, even if you got it last year, and stay with the supplier until it is paid.4
Prepayment meters, gas bills and park homes
You can still qualify on a prepayment or pay-as-you-go meter. Your supplier will tell you how you get it, for example as a voucher to top up your meter.1
If the same supplier provides your gas and electricity, you may be able to have the discount on your gas bill instead. Ask your supplier.1
Park home residents apply a different way, through the Park Homes Warm Home Discount.1