DWP shares update on £150 warm home discount benefit this year

The DWP has issued an update about the warm home discount scheme - a one-off £150 discount on Brits' electricity bills. In England, you are eligible for the benefit if you get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, or are on a low income and have high energy costs. The payments are given automatically to energy providers, and officials have warned that of you get a call asking you to apply, it is a scam.

The DWP said on X: "If you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the £150 credit will be automatically applied to your electricity account. If you get a call asking you to apply for the discount, it's a scam." It is also advised that you should not share your personal information with people sending you unsolicited messages, nor making unsolicited calls. The department urged people to report suspicious calls and messages to @actionfrauduk.

The department adds on its website: "If you're eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.

"The money is not paid to you.

"You'll usually get the discount automatically if you're eligible.

"You only need to apply if you're on a low income in Scotland - contact your energy supplier to apply.

"You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you're eligible.

"Contact your supplier to find out."

Officials advise that you can still qualify for the discount if you use a pre-pay or pay-as-you-go electricity meter, as it can tell you how you'll get the discount if you're eligible.

A voucher you can use to top up your meter, for example.

In Scotland, you qualify for the warm home discount if you either get the guarantee credit element of pension credit, or are on a low income in Scotland and meet your energy supplier's criteria for the scheme.

The scheme is not available in Northern Ireland, with the affordable warmth scheme operating instead.