Overview
- Eligible homes will see a one-off £150 applied by suppliers to electricity accounts or via prepayment vouchers between October 2025 and March 2026, with a verification deadline of February 28, 2026 for those asked to contact the helpline.
- DWP says all 31 participating suppliers will be open by the end of October; nine already taking applications include British Gas, Scottish Gas, Octopus Energy, EDF Energy, OVO Energy, Co-op Energy, So Energy, Good Energy and Utility Warehouse.
- Eligibility has been widened to slightly over 6 million households, with all billpayers on means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit or Pension Credit qualifying in England and Wales, and most receiving the discount automatically.
- Winter Fuel Payment letters are going out in October and November with most payments expected in November or December 2025, and HMRC will reclaim amounts from pensioners with annual incomes above £35,000 via tax code changes or Self Assessment.
- Cold Weather Payments of £25 per qualifying week can be triggered from November 1 when local temperatures average 0°C or below for seven days, and the DWP warns that unsolicited calls, texts or emails about applying for discounts are scams.