Warm Home Discount 2026: what happens after 23 August

The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 credit on an eligible household's energy account. It is not a cash payment, a tariff discount or an Octopus-only offer.

The Government uses the benefit and electricity-account records that applied on 23 August 2026. A later account correction cannot change who met the rules on that date, but keeping the bill and supplier details from that day will help if a letter asks you to confirm the match.

What to check now

• Keep the electricity bill or statement that covers 23 August, showing the account name, address, supplier and account number.
• Make sure the address on your benefits record and electricity account can be matched.
• If you moved or switched around the qualifying date, record which supplier supplied the property on 23 August.
• Keep your postal address current and watch for a Government letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027.
• If the letter tells you to contact the helpline, have its reference number and the 23 August bill ready.

Octopus Energy is on the Government's participating-supplier list for winter 2026 to 2027. If Octopus supplied the electricity on 23 August and you were eligible, Octopus is responsible for providing the Core Group rebate even if you switch later. If another supplier supplied the property on that date, keep that supplier's details instead.

England and Wales: the automatic core group

In England and Wales, you may be eligible if all three conditions apply on 23 August: the supplier participates, you or your partner receives a qualifying means-tested benefit and your name or your partner's name is on the electricity bill.

The current GOV.UK England and Wales page lists Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance and Pension Credit. Octopus and Ofgem's current 2026 to 2027 guidance also list Income Support and income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. If you or your partner receives either of those benefits, do not assume you are excluded: check the benefit and electricity-account records that applied on 23 August against the current eligibility guidance and your Government letter.

If the records match, you do not normally apply to the supplier in England or Wales. The supplier applies the credit to the bill.

Scotland has a different process

Scotland also uses the 23 August bill-name, benefit and participating-supplier checks, but it has two routes. Some households are in the core group and receive the discount automatically. Other low-income households are in the broader group and need to apply directly to their electricity supplier.

Broader-group criteria can differ by supplier. Octopus currently says its Scottish Broader Group applications are open; use its current Warm Home Discount guidance to check eligibility and follow the application route. Check the current GOV.UK Scotland rules as well. The automatic core group now covers Pension Credit and certain other qualifying benefits with additional conditions; do not assume every low-income household must apply.

If you use prepayment

Traditional key or card prepayment customers can qualify. The Government's 31 July reminder specifically tells eligible households to make sure the account is registered in their name.

How the discount arrives can depend on the supplier and meter setup. Ofgem says it may be applied as account credit or sent as a voucher or cheque. Keep your contact details current and read any voucher instructions carefully. The Government and Ofgem say you will not be asked for bank details to receive the Warm Home Discount.

What if you move or switch supplier?

For the automatic core group, Ofgem says the electricity supplier you were with on the qualifying date is responsible for the discount if you were eligible. Moving to a participating supplier after that date does not create eligibility for that scheme year if the previous supplier did not take part.

For Scotland's broader group, check the new supplier's participation and eligibility rules before changing. Ofgem advises waiting until an approved broader-group discount has been received before switching.

When should the £150 appear?

GOV.UK says eligible Core Group households should receive a letter between late October 2026 and early January 2027. It will say whether the discount should be applied automatically or whether you need to call the helpline to confirm details. The August qualifying date is not the payment date.

If your letter tells you to call, the deadline is 26 February 2027. GOV.UK says to contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you think you qualify but have not received a letter by early January 2027. Participating suppliers generally need to provide the discount by 31 March 2027.

The practical next step

Keep the 23 August bill and watch for the Government letter. If it says the discount is automatic, check the account for the credit by 31 March 2027. If it asks for more information, call the number in the letter before 26 February. In Scotland, check the live Octopus Broader Group application if you are not in the automatic Core Group, and check its switching conditions before changing supplier.