Warm home discount scheme reopens for winter 2025

The Warm Home Discount scheme will reopen in October 2025, according to Shelter England and Disability Rights UK. Both organisations state that the scheme, which gives £150 off electricity bills in winter, is currently closed¹.

Under the scheme, households could get £150 off their electricity bill in winter if they receive pension credit guarantee or another low income benefit. The energy supplier must be part of the scheme, and the bill must be in the claimant's name or their partner's name. It is not a cash payment and does not affect benefits¹. Disability Rights UK states the £150 discount applies in England, Scotland and Wales².

Shelter England's page, last updated 25 July 2025, also sets out other winter support. The cold weather payment scheme runs from 1 November to 31 March, with £25 paid if the average temperature in an area is recorded or forecast as below freezing for at least a week. These payments are made automatically and do not have to be claimed, though not everyone on the qualifying benefits receives them¹. Disability Rights UK notes that people in England, Northern Ireland and Wales may get a cold weather payment, while those in Scotland may get a winter heating payment².

On the winter fuel payment, Shelter England states that people born before 22 September 1959 with taxable income of £35,000 or less a year can get the payment. Those with income above £35,000 still receive it but it is taken back through the tax system. Payments should go into accounts in November or December 2025, with a letter in September or October setting out the amount¹. Disability Rights UK states that households in England, Northern Ireland or Wales where someone has reached pension age in the qualifying week and receives a qualifying benefit such as pension credit could get £200 or £300. For winter 2025/26, the qualifying week begins on 15 September 2025. In Scotland, a similar pension age winter heating payment applies, with a lower payment of around £100 also available to Scottish pensioner households where no one is entitled to a qualifying benefit².

The two sources describe the Warm Home Discount's scope slightly differently: Shelter England refers to £150 off an electricity bill in winter without naming nations, while Disability Rights UK states it applies in England, Scotland and Wales¹.

Why it matters for households

The Warm Home Discount is a £150 reduction on electricity bills rather than a cash sum, and it does not affect benefit entitlement¹. Eligibility depends on receiving pension credit guarantee or another low income benefit, and on the supplier taking part in the scheme¹. Households in England, Scotland and Wales are covered according to Disability Rights UK².

The cold weather payment window runs from 1 November to 31 March, with £25 for each week of qualifying cold weather, paid automatically¹. The winter fuel payment is due in November or December 2025 for those born before 22 September 1959 with taxable income of £35,000 or less, and is recovered through the tax system above that threshold¹. Disability Rights UK gives the qualifying week for winter 2025/26 as beginning 15 September 2025².

What happens next

The Warm Home Discount reopens in October 2025¹. Winter fuel payments should arrive in November or December 2025, and Shelter England advises calling the winter fuel payment helpline on 0800 731 0160 if a payment has not arrived by January 2026¹. The cold weather payment scheme runs until 31 March¹.