DWP to Send £150 Warm Home Discount Letters Starting October 20

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that letters notifying households about their eligibility for the £150 Warm Home Discount will begin arriving from 20 October 2025.

This comes amid an expansion of the scheme that now covers over 6 million households across the UK. Here’s a detailed breakdown of what this means, who qualifies, and how to ensure you receive the benefit automatically.

What Is the Warm Home Discount?

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a government initiative providing a £150 credit (not a cash payment) to reduce energy bills over winter. The discount is usually applied automatically by energy suppliers, although the method of delivery can vary depending on your meter type.

Key Updates for Winter 2025/26

Scheme Expansion

The scheme has been expanded:

• Covers over 6 million households, an increase of 2.7 million additional homes, including 900,000 families with children.
• The previous “hard-to-heat” criteria for England and Wales has been removed. Now, anyone on a qualifying benefit and named on the energy bill is eligible.

Eligibility Criteria & Qualifying Date

To be eligible, on 24 August 2025, you must have been claiming one of the following means-tested benefits:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit (both Guarantee and Savings elements)

Additionally, you must be named on the energy bill by that date — whether in your name, your partner’s, or a legal appointee’s.

When You’ll Get Notified

• The DWP will send out eligibility letters starting 20 October 2025.
• Most households that qualify and are set up correctly will receive the £150 credit automatically, applied by energy suppliers by 31 March 2026.
• If no letter arrives by January 2026, you should contact the WHD helpline.

What to Do if You Don’t Get a Letter by January 2026

• Contact the Warm Home Discount helpline at 0800 030 9322.
• Ensure you meet eligibility criteria and that your name appears correctly on your energy bill.

Summary Table

Detail	Information
Start of Letter Delivery	From 20 October 2025
Discount Amount	£150 credit against energy bills
Expanded Coverage	6 million households (up by 2.7M); includes 900,000 families with children
Qualifying Benefits	Housing Benefit, Income-Related ESA, Income-Based JSA, Income Support, Universal Credit, Pension Credit (Guarantee/Savings)
Qualifying Date	Must be claiming one of the above benefits by 24 August 2025
Name on Energy Bill	Required — you, partner, or legal appointee named by 24 August
Automatic Application	Yes — in England & Wales (if eligible and named on bill)
Credit Applied By	No later than 31 March 2026
Action if No Letter	Contact WHD helpline if no letter by January 2026

Why This Matters

With the cost of living increasing, the £150 discount can make a tangible difference for low-income families, pensioners, and vulnerable households. The expanded eligibility removes past barriers, helping more people benefit automatically.

From 20 October 2025, the DWP will begin sending out £150 Warm Home Discount eligibility letters to millions of households. Thanks to the scheme’s expansion—removing prior requirements and including more low-income families—over 6 million households are now entitled to the discount.

If you were on one of the qualifying benefits by 24 August 2025 and your name is correctly listed on your energy bill, you should receive the benefit automatically. Keep an eye out for your letter, and contact the helpline if it doesn’t arrive by January 2026.

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