Overview

• The DWP says eligible customers will have the £150 Warm Home Discount added to their electricity accounts automatically, with vouchers issued for prepayment meters.
• Energy firms will apply the credit between November 2025 and March 31, 2026, and British Gas expects most customers to receive it before January.
• Winter Fuel Payment letters begin going out in October, with £100–£300 due to most eligible pensioners in November–December and HMRC reclaiming payments from taxable incomes above £35,000.
• Cold Weather Payments start from November 1, delivering £25 per seven‑day period when local average temperatures are recorded or forecast at 0°C or below, with Scotland operating a separate Winter Heating Payment.
• Officials warn that texts, emails or calls asking people to apply for the Warm Home Discount are scams and advise reporting suspicious contact to Action Fraud.