DWP confirms full list of UK households to receive one-off £150 payment this winter

The Department for Work and Pensions has announced that letters will begin arriving this week to the roughly six million households that qualify for the £150 Warm Home Discount, a cost‑of‑living relief that will ease the burden of energy bills during the cold months. The move follows a recent expansion of the scheme that now includes every household on means‑tested benefits, removing previous restrictions that left many families without help.

Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers, urged families who think they qualify to keep an eye on their post. "I know that many families will be struggling with their energy bills this winter. That is why I urge those who think they qualify for the Warm Home Discount to keep an eye out for a letter confirming their eligibility." Polly Billington, Minister for Energy Consumers, via Manchester Evening News

Media additions

The announcement follows the government’s earlier decision to remove VAT from all electricity bills from 1 October, a move expected to cut the Ofgem price cap by about £45. The £150 discount is part of the same winter‑support package that also includes the £10 Christmas Bonus for certain benefit claimants and the £59.75 Winter Heating Payment for those on low income or benefits.

Who Qualifies?

The DWP clarified that eligibility hinges on the bill‑payer being named on the energy bill and having claimed a means‑tested benefit as of 23 August 2026.

“The Warm Home Discount offers vital help for millions of households through the colder months,” said Ned Hammond, Deputy Director of Policy (Customers) at Energy UK. "This week the government will begin sending letters to eligible customers to explain how the support will be delivered." Ned Hammond, Energy UK, via Manchester Evening News

Stew Horne of the Energy Saving Trust added that the discount can be applied to gas bills where suppliers provide both gas and electricity. "Understanding the support available and responding promptly if required can help ensure you receive the help you’re entitled to this winter." Stew Horne, Energy Saving Trust, via Manchester Evening News

How the Payment Works

Letters will be mailed from 22 October until January 2027. They will inform recipients whether the discount will be applied automatically or if they need to contact their supplier before 26 February 2027. The discount is not a cash payment; it will be deducted from the electricity bill. If both gas and electricity are supplied, the discount may be applied to the gas bill instead.

British Gas confirmed that eligible customers will see the £150 discount applied between November 2026 and March 31 2027, with most receiving it before January 2027.

What Happens After the Letter

Energy suppliers will automatically apply the discount to qualifying accounts. If a household’s bill‑payer is not listed on the energy bill, the DWP encourages them to update their details before 23 August 2026. Those who have recently moved may find themselves excluded if the new bill does not yet reflect their name.

In the event that an electricity provider ceases trading, Ofgem will assign a new supplier. Customers are advised to check with their new provider to confirm eligibility for the discount.

Other Winter Relief Measures

Alongside the £150 discount, the DWP will issue a £10 Christmas Bonus to certain benefit claimants before 1 January 2026, and a £59.75 Winter Heating Payment will be paid in December. The Winter Heating Payment, which replaced the Cold Weather Payment in 2023, is aimed at people on low income or benefits who may need extra heating during the winter.

According to the Daily Record, the payments are issued automatically, with only a small number of recipients needing to take action.

Timeline of Key Dates

• 23 August 2026 – Final qualifying date for benefits to be listed on energy bills.
• 22 October 2026 – Letters for the £150 Warm Home Discount begin to arrive.
• 1 October 2026 – VAT removed from all electricity bills.
• 26 February 2027 – Deadline for recipients who need to call the helpline to confirm eligibility.
• March 31 2027 – Latest date for the discount to be applied by suppliers.

Energy suppliers participating in the scheme number 24, according to the Nottingham Post. The initiative is part of the government’s broader cost‑of‑living strategy, which also includes the £10 Christmas Bonus and the £59.75 Winter Heating Payment.

What to Watch Next

Recipients should keep an eye on their post for the official letter, which will detail the exact method of discount application. If the letter indicates that the discount is not automatic, households must contact their energy supplier before 26 February 2027 to ensure the £150 is applied.

The Warm Home Discount will continue to run each winter, with the scheme slated to remain in force through 2030/31. The DWP has confirmed that the payment will be issued automatically to all eligible households, reinforcing the government’s commitment to easing the energy cost burden for low‑income families.

For further details on the DWP’s cost‑of‑living measures, see the Cost of Living coverage.