The 28 Energy Suppliers Offering a £150 Warm Home Discount This December

Millions of UK households are set to benefit this winter from the Warm Home Discount scheme, which provides a £150 discount directly on electricity bills. This annual initiative helps ease the financial burden of rising energy costs during the colder months.

The payment is credited directly to your energy supplier rather than sent as cash to your bank account, ensuring the support goes straight to your energy bills. This winter, 28 energy suppliers have joined the scheme, making it widely accessible across the country.

To qualify for the Warm Home Discount this year, you must be receiving specific benefits on the qualifying date, which for 2023 is August 24. In England and Wales, qualifying households will receive the discount automatically. However, in Scotland, the payment is only automatic if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit; otherwise, you must apply manually through your energy supplier to receive the discount.

It’s important to note that the Warm Home Discount scheme is not available in Northern Ireland.

This support comes at a vital time as energy bills are expected to rise slightly in January 2024. The Ofgem price cap will increase from £1,755 to £1,758 for a typical dual-fuel household paying by direct debit, remaining in effect until March 31, 2024, when it will be reviewed again.

Households on a standard variable rate tariff will benefit from this price cap, although it’s crucial to remember that your bill depends on the amount of energy you consume. The price cap limits the unit rates for gas and electricity as well as fixed daily standing charges for being connected to the energy network.

For context, Ofgem estimates the average UK household uses 2,700 kWh of electricity and 11,500 kWh of gas annually, and the price cap reflects expected yearly costs for typical consumption. By participating in the Warm Home Discount, qualifying households can ease a portion of these costs this winter.