Kathrine Frich
The move is part of the government’s expansion of the Warm Home Discount, aimed at easing costs for those most in need.
More than 250,000 households across the UK are being notified this week that they will receive a one-off £150 discount on their energy bills this winter.
Help on the way
Letters confirming eligibility began arriving on 28 October and will continue to be sent out until the end of January.
The discount is designed to provide immediate relief as part of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s wider plan to reform the UK’s energy system and make it more sustainable.
Announcing the scheme last year, Starmer said:
“This cash injection will help people manage their bills while we fix the rusting energy system we inherited. Because it is only through our clean energy mission that we will get bills down for everyone in the long run, creating jobs and economic growth along the way.”
The Warm Home Discount expansion replaces earlier eligibility rules in England and Wales that focused on how energy-efficient a property was.
Under the new system, any low-income household receiving qualifying benefits can apply for support.
Automatic savings
Most households will not need to take any action.
The £150 reduction will be applied automatically to eligible customers’ energy bills rather than being paid into bank accounts.
However, some recipients may be asked to provide further details such as recent energy statements, account numbers, or other billing information.
Each letter will include specific instructions on how to confirm eligibility or submit additional documents.
“Letters will be dropping on doormats across the country this week containing welcome news for hundreds of thousands of families,” Energy Secretary Ed Miliband told The Independent.
“This government is determined to tackle energy affordability for families, and this winter, more people will be helped as a result. And I would urge anyone who needs to provide extra information to follow the straightforward steps and make sure they get money off their bills this winter.”
Wider support options
Major UK energy suppliers have also launched their own assistance programs for customers struggling with bills.
British Gas has set up a £140 million Energy Support Fund, while Octopus Energy operates a £30 million Assist Fund.
The Warm Home Discount complements these initiatives, extending aid to families who may have previously fallen outside traditional support schemes.
For households facing ongoing energy debt or affordability challenges, providers advise contacting them directly to explore additional help, repayment plans, or emergency funding options.
This article is made and published by Kathrine Frich, who may have used AI in the preparation
