Shell Energy to pay an extra £150 this winter to customers getting the Warm Home Discount – here's what you need to know

How the Warm Home Discount works

The scheme offers £150 to some people on low incomes who get certain means-tested benefits. But there's been a big shake-up to the initiative ahead of this winter, including changes to the eligibility criteria and application process in England and Wales.

As the new scheme is yet to launch, we don't have all the details, but here's what we do know:

• You likely won't need to apply for the Warm Home Discount if you live in England and Wales. Instead, you should get it automatically if you qualify, though energy regulator Ofgem says some people may be asked to contact a Government helpline to confirm their eligibility. You can see a full list of who is and isn't eligible in our Warm Home Discount shake-up MSE News story. 
  
  The key changes to highlight are that an additional 750,000 households will receive the rebate, as those on housing benefit, which is means-tested, will now be eligible. However, 290,000 people with disabilities who only claim personal independence payments, attendance allowance or disability living allowance, which are not means-tested, will no longer get the discount.
  
  
• In Scotland, many will still need to apply. Those who get the guarantee element of pension credit will get the Warm Home Discount automatically, but others on means-tested benefits will need to apply through their supplier. See our Scotland energy discount story for more on this.
  
  
• There is no Warm Home Discount scheme in Northern Ireland. See our Northern Ireland energy guide for other support you can get and tips for cutting your bills.