More Scottish households to get £150 Warm Home Discount automatically next winter

The Government has also confirmed that the scheme will continue in England, Scotland and Wales until the end of March 2031, although this is subject to any changes in government at the next election.

In England and Wales, the Warm Home Discount is already automatic for almost all who qualify, and millions of letters have been sent out to eligible households to confirm their payment for this winter (see how to check if yours is genuine). There is no equivalent scheme in Northern Ireland.

Who will get the discount automatically in Scotland NEXT winter

Currently, the payment is only automatic in Scotland for those getting the 'guarantee credit' element of Pension Credit. But for next winter (2026/27), you'll get the £150 bill help automatically if, on the qualifying date in August 2026 (the exact date is yet to be confirmed):

• Your name or your partner's name is on your electricity bill;
  AND

• You're getting any element of Pension Credit;
  OR

• You're getting one of the benefits listed below AND you meet certain other conditions, such as having a child under five or getting a disability-related uplift as part of your benefit:
  - Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance;
  - Income-related Employment Support Allowance;
  - Income Support;
  - Support for Mortgage Interest; or
  - Universal Credit.

In addition to the automatic payments, energy providers in Scotland will also have to let some households in receipt of certain benefits apply for the discount – but here the exact criteria will vary by supplier, and we don't yet know what it will be for 2026/27. We'll have full details in our Warm Home Discount guide closer to the time.

There's still time to apply for THIS winter's £150 payment in Scotland

If you live in Scotland, and you were getting a means-tested benefit (such as Universal Credit) on 24 August 2025 (the qualifying date for this winter), check NOW if you can claim a Warm Home Discount.

There's a limited pot of cash and payments are made on a first-come, first-served basis. For full details, including a list of suppliers still accepting applications, see our Warm Home Discount guide.

Live in a park home in England, Scotland or Wales? Check if you can get energy bill help

If you live in a park home and pay a site owner for electricity instead of an energy firm, you may also still be able to get £150 towards your energy bills via the separate 'Park Homes Warm Home Discount' scheme.

You can see the full eligibility criteria and apply for the discount on the Charis Grants website (Charis administers the scheme in partnership with energy regulator Ofgem). Funding is limited, so go quick to avoid missing out.