Universal Credit, ESA, Pension Credit Claimants Must Act by August 23 to Secure £150 Energy Payment

People receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) need to take urgent action by Saturday 23 August to avoid missing out on a £150 Winter Energy Payment. According to a government announcement confirmed by Makerfield MP Andy Burnham, claimants must ensure that the name of the billpayer on their energy account exactly matches the name on their benefit claim by this date.

This step is necessary for automatic qualification for the Warm Home Discount, a scheme designed to support around six million households across Britain during the colder months. The discount aims to help with rising energy costs this winter and is part of broader government measures to ease the cost-of-living pressure.

Additionally, the Labour Party Prime Minister has recently taken immediate action to reduce energy bills by removing VAT from domestic electricity from 1 October. This initiative is expected to save households approximately £45 annually on the Ofgem price cap.

Claimants using pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meters are still eligible for the discount. Suppliers will provide information on how the discount will be applied, which may take the form of vouchers to top up meters.

Energy suppliers will assess customers’ eligibility based on records as of the 23 August deadline. If you believe you qualified for the discount for winter 2025 to 2026 but did not receive it by 31 March 2026, you should contact your electricity supplier. Eligibility confirmation could include receiving a letter from the Warm Home Discount Scheme, information from their helpline, or confirmation when applying via your electricity supplier, particularly for low-income customers in Scotland.

If your supplier was unable to provide the discount despite your eligibility, it is recommended that you write directly to the Warm Home Discount Scheme. When doing so, please include your full name, address, date of birth, reference number from any confirmation letter (if available), the name of your electricity supplier and your account number, along with the name of the person on the electricity bill as of 24 August 2025 (if different).

Taking these steps will ensure you do not miss out on vital financial support this winter.