Millions of Britons to receive £150 for heating: who is eligible for assistance.

According to The Sun: The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is starting to pay free £150 for households receiving Universal Credit. This support is aimed at helping with energy bills this winter.

The Warm Home Discount is granted to millions of low-income families every winter to reduce heating costs.

Recent data provided by Policy in Practice indicates that around 4.8 million households do not receive this payment each year.

Households receiving benefits such as Pension Credit and Universal Credit can qualify for this financial aid.

The money is not transferred to a bank account - your energy supplier will simply apply the discount to your bill.

From October to December, the government sends letters to households that are eligible for this program.

The first letters confirming eligibility for the program are expected from October 20.

To receive the discount, you must be one of the nine types of income-based benefits as of August 24, 2025.

These include:

• Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-based Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Universal Credit
• Savings Credit element of Pension Credit

Even if you later successfully apply for backdated benefits, you will still be able to receive the discount.

For example, successful Pension Credit claims can be backdated for three months, while Universal Credit claims can be backdated for one month.

This year, the Warm Home Discount has also been expanded, removing the requirement for 'hard to heat' homes in England and Wales.

Previously, families in England and Wales needed to be on certain benefits and live in homes with low energy efficiency ratings, such as D, E, F, or G, to meet the criteria - provided they were not receiving the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit.

This change will allow an additional 2.7 million households, including 900,000 families with children, to receive the £150 discount. In total, this affects 6 million households.

Do you need to apply for the discount?

Households in England and Wales do not need to apply for the financial assistance - they will receive it automatically.

From October 20, expect a letter notifying you:

• You are eligible for the discount, which will be provided automatically; or
• You may be eligible, and you will need to provide more information.
• The letter will contain instructions for a contact center to confirm your details by February 27, 2026.

If you do not receive a letter by early January 2026 and believe you are eligible, you should call the helpline at 0800 030 9322.

If you are eligible, your energy provider will apply the discount to your bill by March 31, 2026.

The Warm Home Discount is available regardless of who your energy supplier is.

If you live in Scotland, you may need to apply for the Warm Home Discount.

In Scotland, there is a “core group” that will receive automatic payments, as well as a “wider group” that must apply to participate in the program through their energy supplier.

Contact your energy supplier to check the requirements and application details.

As the number of applications is expected to exceed available places, we recommend applying as soon as possible.

What energy bill help is available?

There are several different ways to get help with paying your energy bill if you are facing difficulties.

If you are in debt, we recommend contacting your supplier to see if they can offer a repayment plan before switching you to a prepayment meter.

This means you will be able to pay off the debt in installments over a set period.

If the proposed plan seems too burdensome, reach out again to discuss the possibility of better terms.

Many energy companies have programs for customers facing difficulties paying their bills.

However, eligibility criteria may vary by supplier, and the amount you can receive depends on your financial situation.

For example, customers of British Gas or Scottish Gas who are in financial trouble may receive grants up to £2000.

British Gas also offers assistance through its Energy Fund and Individuals Fund. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the latter fund.

EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power also provide grants for customers who are experiencing financial difficulties.

Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on additional help and protection by not signing up for the Priority Services Register (PSR).

This service supports vulnerable households, such as the elderly or those in poor health.

Some benefits include advance notice of power cuts, free gas safety checks, and additional support in times of need.

Contact your energy supplier to find out if you can apply.