Millions of households will receive a £150 heating discount: who is eligible.

According to The Sun: Millions of households will receive letters about a £150 heating discount program, starting October 20.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that discount letters will begin to arrive from this date.

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The heating discount program has been expanded this year, removing the 'hard-to-heat' home rule in England and Wales.

Low-income families receiving certain government benefits can now receive the discount regardless of their home's energy efficiency.

This change will allow an additional 2.7 million households, including 900,000 families with children, to benefit from the £150 discount, raising the total number of eligible households to six million.

When to expect letters

Next month, you may receive a letter from the DWP confirming your eligibility for the discount.

To be eligible for the discount, you must have one of seven types of social assistance as of August 24:

• Guaranteed Credit in Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-Based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-Based Employment and Support Allowance
• Housing Benefit
• Universal Credit
• Part of the 'Savings Credit' in Pension Credit

If you did not receive any of these types of assistance by August 24, 2025, you will lose your eligibility for the discount.

However, even if you did not receive Pension Credit on the qualification date, you still have a chance to receive extra money later.

This is because your eligibility for certain services may be delayed.

For example, positive decisions about Pension Credit may be delayed by three months.

If you qualify

Applications for Universal Credit can be delayed by one month.

Approximately 700,000 pensioners are eligible for Pension Credit but do not claim it.

What is Pension Credit and how to get it?

PENSION Credit increases your weekly income to £227.10 if you are single, or £346.60 if you have a partner.

This is called 'Guaranteed Credit'.

If your income is less than this amount, you are likely eligible for assistance.

Additionally, if your income is slightly above this amount, you may still be eligible for Pension Credit if you have a disability, care for someone, have savings, or have housing costs.

You can get an additional £82.90 per week if you have a disability or have received any of the following:

• Carer's Allowance
• Middle or higher rate of Disability Living Allowance
• Daily Living Allowance for Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Independence Payment for veterans
• Daily allowance for adults with standard or enhanced disability.

You can receive part of the 'Savings Credit' if you meet both conditions:

• You reached pension age before April 6, 2016
• You have saved money for retirement, such as through a Personal or workplace pension

This part of Pension Credit is worth £17.30 for singles or £19.36 for couples.

Applications for Pension Credit also provide access to a number of free services and discounts.

For example, recipients of Pension Credit over 75 years old are entitled to a free television license worth up to £174.50 per year.

Applications for this assistance also ensure eligibility for cold weather payments of £25 per week and £150 heating discount.

Applications for Pension Credit can be made on the government website or by calling the Pension Credit helpline at 0800 99 1234.

Do you need to apply for the discount?

Households in England and Wales will receive the discount automatically without having to apply.

Expect a letter between October 2025 and early January 2026 stating:

• You are eligible and will receive the discount automatically; or
• You may be eligible and you need to provide additional information.
• The letter will indicate you should contact the helpline by February 27, 2026, to confirm your details.

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

If your eligibility is confirmed, your energy supplier will apply the discount to your bill by March 31, 2026.

The heating discount is available regardless of your energy supplier.

For residents of Scotland, you may need to apply for the heating discount.

In Scotland, there is a 'core group' that will receive automatic payments and a 'wider group' that must apply through their energy supplier.

You need to check with your energy supplier to find out about eligibility requirements and details about applying.

The program will have more applicants than places, so it is recommended to apply as soon as possible.

What assistance is available for energy bill payments?

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

If you are in debt, contact your supplier to find out if they can offer a repayment plan before switching you to a prepayment meter.

This means you will pay back the debt in parts over time.

If the proposed repayment plan is unmanageable for you, it is worth reaching out again to discuss better terms.

Many energy companies offer support programs for those who are having trouble paying their bills.

Eligibility requirements and amounts of assistance can vary depending on the supplier.

British Gas or Scottish Gas customers facing financial difficulties can receive grants of up to £2000.

British Gas also has an Energy Fund and Family Fund that can be applied for assistance.

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.

Customers of EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy, and Scottish Power also offer grants for those in need of assistance.

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

This service is designed to support vulnerable households, including the elderly and people with disabilities.

Benefits include advance warning of emergencies, free gas safety checks, and additional support.

Contact your energy supplier to find out whether to apply for these services.