Warm Home Discount scheme
The Warm Home Discount is a payment made towards electricity bills once per year for eligible customers.
What is the Warm Home Discount scheme?
The Warm Home Discount was first introduced by the Government in April 2011 to help eligible customers in England, Scotland and Wales with their energy bills during the winter. It’s there to provide support for those living on low incomes or pensions.
How much is the Warm Home Discount and when is it paid?
If you qualify for the winter 2024/25 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied by the end of March next year at the latest.
How will I receive my Warm Home Discount?
The discount will be added to your electricity account as a credit. And if you're on Pay as you go, we'll send you a voucher you can use to top up your meter at a Post Office.
If you're one of our Pay As You Go smart meter customers, we'll even send it directly to your meter as a credit and send you an email to let you know it's on there. If we can't get it directly to your meter as quickly as we'd like, we'll send you a voucher to top up from a Post Office. That way you'll still get your discount as soon as possible.
With a Pay as you go smart meter it's easier to see how much energy you use in pounds and pence and you can top up from wherever you like, whenever you like.
If you don't already have a smart meter, you can find out more and book an upgrade here.
Do I qualify for Warm Home Discount?
The eligibility requirements for the Warm Home Discount are the same as last year.
To qualify, you need to claim either the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or a different 'qualifying benefit.' The Government will make an assessment of your energy costs based on the property you live in. You need to be receiving these benefits and be a British Gas electricity customer on 11th August 2024.
Which benefits qualify
The Government website has specific details about which benefits qualify and who could receive the discount.
In England and Wales the Government will write to you to confirm if you are eligible.
In Scotland, if you receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credits, the Government will write to you and you don’t need to apply.
Customers in Scotland who receive other specific benefits and meet the Government criteria, can apply for a Warm Home Discount payment.
Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount this year?
Customers in England and Wales
If you live in England or Wales and we supply your electricity, you don’t need to apply, even if you applied in previous years. The Government decide who is eligible and will write to you if you are. We then make the payment to you by 31st March 2025.
If you are not eligible for the scheme, unfortunately we can't help you appeal as it was all decided by the Government. Customers wishing to appeal any decisions in England and Wales will need to visit the Government's dedicated Warm Home Discount website.
Customers in Scotland
If we supply your electricity in Scotland, some customers may need to apply, but others don’t.
If you receive the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit
The Government decide which customers who receive Pension Credits are eligible, and if you are one of them, will write to you. Payments will be made by 31st March 2025.
If you don't receive Pension Credits but do get other qualifying benefits
Customers in Scotland who receive other benefits and meet the Government's criteria can apply for a Warm Home Discount payment.
Applications are open now. Apply online to find out if you're eligible.
If your application is approved, you'll get the £150 discount by 31st March 2025. If you leave Scottish Gas before 31st March 2025, you won't get the discount.
Want to know more?
We recommend you keep checking the Gov.uk website for all the latest information on the Warm Home Discount scheme. We’ll also update this page with everything you need to know.
We’re here to help
We know the rising cost of energy means it’s a difficult time for a lot of our customers. Get help if you're struggling to pay your energy bills.
Tips to help you reduce your energy use
Understand how energy is used around your home and what energy-efficient steps you can take to lower your bills. Check out our energy saving tips.
Help control your energy use with smart meters
Understanding how and when you use energy and making changes around the home is an easy way to reduce your energy use and lower your bills. Smart meters will help you to understand when you’re using the most energy and which appliances are contributing the most to your usage. Your smart energy monitor (in home display) will show you how much you’re using and when.
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