Millions of DWP claimants face losing £150 payment once 2025 ends

Millions of households benefit from the £150 payment
-Credit:Getty Images/iStockphoto


Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has announced that the current Warm Home Discount scheme will end in March 2026. This winter, the programme offers a £150 annual subsidy from the Department for Work and Pensions to the energy suppliers of qualifying homes and is set to support more than three million households.

Fahnbulleh also declared that there will be a consultation "on the future of the scheme beyond 2026" later this year. The announcement was issued after Labour MP Neil Duncan-Jordan's question about extending the Warm Home Discount Scheme beyond its expiration date, reports Express.co.uk.

In her written response last week, the Energy Minister said: "The current Warm Home Discount scheme period comes to an end in March 2026. Since the scheme began in 2011, over £4 billion has been provided in support to eligible households," she continued.

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She added: "The Warm Home Discount is expected to support over 3 million households in Great Britain over winter 2024/25, funded through a levy on all domestic gas and electricity customers. It remains an important support mechanism as energy bills remain high."

Furthermore, she confirmed: "We will consult later this year on the future of the scheme beyond 2026."

Warm Home Discount Scheme 2024/25

Note that applicants must apply for the Warm Home Discount Scheme 2024/25 through their energy supplier, with the payment going directly to the provider, not the claimant. The eligibility criteria for the Warm Home Discount Scheme were revised in 2022, meaning some individuals may no longer qualify, while others may need to apply as they won't automatically receive the discount.

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Over 25 energy suppliers are participating in the scheme; to verify if your provider is among them, visit their website and search 'Warm Home Discount'. Following changes to Winter Fuel Payments, where only those over 66 receiving Pension Credit, Tax Credits or other means-tested benefits will qualify for the annual lump sum of up to £300, it's crucial to check now if you need to claim the Warm Home Discount.

Eligible households might also be able to have the £150 discount applied to their gas bill instead - if their supplier provides both gas and electricity, simply contact them once the scheme opens to find out. The full list of participating suppliers can be found on the dedicated Warm Home Discount Scheme pages on GOV.UK.

Participating Energy Suppliers

The dedicated Warm Home Discount Scheme pages with the full list of participating suppliers is available on gov.uk.

These include:

  • 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)

  • Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy

  • Boost

  • British Gas

  • Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy

  • Co-op Energy - see Octopus Energy

  • E - also known as E (Gas and Electricity)

  • Ecotricity

  • E.ON Next

  • EDF

  • Fuse Energy

  • Good Energy

  • Home Energy

  • London Power

  • Octopus Energy

  • Outfox the Market

  • OVO

  • Rebel Energy

  • Sainsbury’s Energy

  • Scottish Gas – see British Gas

  • ScottishPower

  • Shell Energy Retail

  • So Energy

  • Tomato Energy

  • TruEnergy

  • Utilita

  • Utility Warehouse

Qualifying for the Warm Home Discount

If you're a credit customer, the £150 will be credited to your electricity account, and if you're on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you'll receive a voucher to top-up your meter. Here's a summary of the scheme and eligibility rules.

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To qualify for the £150 credit, you must have been claiming one of the qualifying scenarios on August 11, 2024. A comprehensive guide to eligibility can be found on gov.uk.

The method of applying for the Warm Home Discount Scheme varies depending on how you qualify for the discount. For those living in England and Wales, qualification also depends on specific conditions. In both eligibility groups, the DWP will assess your energy costs based on your residence.