Energy suppliers with 1,000 or more customers must now take part in the government's Warm Home Discount scheme, down from a previous threshold of 50,000, according to the British Gas Energy Trust1. The change means customers of smaller suppliers can receive the discount, which the Trust says is worth £150 off energy bills this winter for people on low incomes and those susceptible to cold-related illnesses1.
The Trust, an independent charity, said the scheme is now in its thirteenth year and provides a one-off payment through energy companies1. It reported that the government has confirmed the scheme will run until at least March 2026, described as a further three winters including the one then coming up1.
"Previously, only those who had 50,000 customers or more had to sign up to the scheme. From this year, that number has been reduced to 1,000 or more, meaning more customers could benefit from the scheme."
Eligibility differs by nation. In England and Wales, the Trust says households qualify if they receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, or are on a low income with high energy costs1. In Scotland, the Trust says the Guarantee Credit route still applies, but otherwise households may have to meet their own supplier's specific criteria1.
| Nation | Main eligibility routes given |
|---|---|
| England and Wales | Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit; or low income with high energy costs |
| Scotland | Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit; otherwise supplier's own criteria may apply |
The Trust states that the discount cannot be applied for and is applied automatically, with the money taken off the electricity bill between October and March rather than paid directly1. For prepayment or pay-as-you-go meters, it says eligible households receive vouchers to top up the meter instead of the £150 coming off the bill, and that these are likely to carry a deadline for use1. Eligible households should receive a letter, likely before January, and those who believe they should have had one can contact the Warm Home Discount helpline on 0800 107 80021.
Why it matters for households
The threshold change widens the pool of suppliers obliged to deliver the Warm Home Discount, so a household's eligibility no longer depends on being with one of the larger companies. For homes on smaller suppliers, the practical effect is that the £150 support route now exists where it previously did not, provided the household meets the eligibility rules for its nation. Because the discount is automatic and applied to the electricity bill, it reduces the amount owed over the winter rather than adding to income, which matters for households managing a fixed budget across the coldest months. The confirmed run to at least March 2026 gives three winters of certainty, though the Trust notes its own post may no longer be fully up to date1. How each supplier administers the scheme, including prepayment vouchers, is set out in the guidance on which suppliers take part and how it is paid.
What happens next
The Trust says eligible households should receive a letter in the coming months, likely before January1. It gives no further dated steps.
Sources1 cited
- Warm Home Discount Scheme Extended to More Customers | British Gas Energy Trust, britishgasenergytrust.org.uk