The government has announced that it will be extending the Warm Home Discount scheme for this coming winter.听
The extended scheme will provide the 拢150 discount to approximately 6 million households, according to the Government Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.听
For Winter 2025/26 in England & Wales, all households on means-tested benefits (which includes Universal Credit, Income Support, JSA, ESA, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit) will receive the Warm Home Discount.听
Removing the criteria for 鈥渉ard to heat鈥� homes with low energy efficiency, means approximately 2.7鈥痬illion more households will now get the discount.听
The Warm Home Discount offers a 拢150 discount applied directly to electricity (or gas) bills between October鈥�2025 and March鈥�2026 via energy suppliers and doesn鈥檛 affect Winter Fuel Payment eligibility.听
The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is separate from the Winter Fuel Payment and other local help that may be available to you in the preparation for the cold winter months.听
The听听is a lump-sum, tax-free amount paid automatically to pensioners: up to 拢200 per household if you’re 66鈥�79, and 拢300 if you’re 80+, and have an individual income of under 拢35,000.
Available support in your local area听
Shropshire Council will continue its听听from April 2025 to March 2026, with an allocated 拢3.6鈥痬illion to help with energy, water, food, school meals and discretionary grants.
Telford & Wrekin Council received 拢6.7鈥痬illion in听, delivering insulation, heating improvements, and energy-saving kits via its听听team.
Staffordshire County Council has also extended its听听until 31 March 2026, to support households with essential costs for food and utilities.
Get in touch with energy suppliers and local support听
If you鈥檙e struggling with fuel debt or topping up a pre-payment meter, contact your energy supplier immediately. They can offer payment plans, fuel vouchers, or emergency credit.听
Additionally,听听can help you maximise what benefits you receive, challenge bills if you鈥檙e being charged too much or can鈥檛 afford them, and help find grants you鈥檙e eligible for.
糖心传媒 customers can also speak to our鈥�dedicated team, for confidential money advice. Please be aware that there is currently a waiting list for this support.鈥��听
What you can do today to help with winter energy bills听
Check your eligibility for the Warm Homes Discount, Winter Fuel Payment, and Cold Weather Payments (拢25 per 7-day cold spell).听
Join your supplier鈥檚 Priority Services Register for extra support during outages or topping-up issues.听
Apply for Household Support Fund via your local council, where you could receive pre-payment fuel vouchers, hardship grants, and school-meal holiday vouchers.听
With rising energy costs, support this winter is stronger and more accessible.听
Whether you’re a pensioner, receive benefits, or simply struggle to heat your home in the winter, it鈥檚 a good time to act: check your eligibility, contact your energy supplier, and reach out for local assistance.听