The Warm Home Discount qualifying date is this Sunday — here is what to check

The Warm Home Discount gives you £150 off your electricity bill this winter. To get the payment, you need to be on a qualifying benefit on 23 August 2026 — this Sunday.

That date is when the government checks benefit records and matches them to electricity accounts. If you are on a qualifying benefit on 23 August, the £150 should arrive without you having to do anything.

Which benefits qualify

You are likely to get the payment automatically if you (or your partner) receive one of these benefits on 23 August 2026:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Pension Credit

You also need to be the named account holder on an electricity account with a participating energy supplier.

How the automatic payment works

After 23 August, the government matches your benefit record to your energy supplier. If there is a match, your supplier adds the £150 credit to your electricity account. Payments land between October 2026 and March 2027.

Most eligible households receive the credit automatically, without contacting anyone.

If you do not receive the payment automatically

Some households cannot be matched automatically — for example, if your benefit and energy records use different addresses. If that happens, you will get a letter in autumn 2026 asking you to call the Warm Home Discount helpline.

Do not ignore that letter. It is the way to confirm your details and still claim the £150.

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What to check before Sunday

1. Are you on a qualifying benefit? If you are not yet claiming and think you may be eligible — for example, for Pension Credit — contact Citizens Advice today. They can help you check and apply quickly.
2. Is the electricity account in your name? The credit only goes to the named account holder. If a partner or landlord is listed, ask your supplier how to add your name.
3. Are your benefit details up to date? Log in to your Universal Credit online account and check your address and household details are correct. Both records need to match.

If you are not on a qualifying benefit

There is a low-income route where you can apply directly to your energy supplier. It opens in autumn 2026. You do not need to be on one of the qualifying benefits listed above to use it, but you will need to contact your supplier yourself to apply.