Warm Home Discount
| OVO
The Warm Home Discount is a one-off £150 discount given to eligible domestic electricity customers to help with their energy costs. It's usually paid between October and March of each scheme year. It's a scheme run and funded by the Government - and is designed to help people who need it most.
Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount
Warm Home Discount eligibility is dependent on where you live.
England or Wales
If you live in England or Wales you don’t need to apply for the Warm Home Discount but you will need to meet the eligibility criteria set by the Government. This includes people who get the Guaranteed element of Pension Credit or receive other qualifying means tested benefits.
The eligibility qualifying date is 23 August 2026. The Government will write to all eligible customers between October and December 2026.
In some cases the Government will write to you to request more information. It's important you give them this information by 26 February 2027 to be considered for the discount. We can only give you the discount once we’ve been told to do so by the Government. Their contact details will be included with the letter.
See our FAQs below for what to do if you don't get a letter.
Eligibility criteria
To be considered for the discount:
You or your partner must have been named on the domestic electricity bill on 23 August 2026.
You must have been supplied by OVO on 23 August 2026. If you had a different supplier on this date and they participate in the Warm Home Discount scheme, they’ll be instructed by the Government to provide your discount - even if they no longer supply your home.
You or your partner must receive the following qualifying means-tested benefits on 23 August 2026:
Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (PCGC)
Pension Saving Credit (PCSC)
Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Universal Credit
Please note, as of 2025/26, those in receipt of a means-tested benefit are no longer required to live in a property with a high energy score. This means that, if the other eligibility elements are met, you only need to receive one of the qualifying benefits listed.
Scotland
If you live in Scotland, there are two groups:
Core group - you won't need to apply, but you must meet eligibility criteria.
Broader group - you will need to apply and meet eligibility criteria.
Please note, the Government has expanded eligibility criteria for the core group from this year. This means that previously broader group customers may not need to apply this year. Details of the new core group eligibility can be found below and the Government will write to all eligible customers between October and December to confirm. If you don’t hear from them, you can still apply as normal.
Please note, you can only get one discount per scheme year - even if you’re eligible within both groups.
See our FAQs below for what to do if you don't get a letter.
You can pre-register for this year’s scheme now. Once you’ve registered, you’ll be the first to hear when we start accepting applications.
Eligibility criteria
Core group
To be considered for the discount:
You or your partner must have been named on the domestic electricity bill on 23 August 2026.
You must have been supplied by OVO on 23 August 2026. If you had a different supplier on this date and they participate in the Warm Home Discount scheme, they’ll be instructed by the Government to provide your discount - even if they no longer supply your home.
You or your partner must have received one of the benefits below on 23 August 2026:
Benefit | Additional criteria |
Pension Credit
(both the Guaranteed Element and Savings Credit) | No additional criteria |
Universal Credit | Employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element; or,
Not employed or be in gainful self-employment and either:
The person is responsible for a child under the age of 5 who normally lives with the person; or receives a child or young person disability element; or has limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity for the purposes of the Universal Credit |
Income Support or Income based Jobseeker's Allowance | Responsible for a child under the age of 5 who normally lives with the consumer or the person’s income-based jobseeker’s allowance includes any of the following premiums:
|
Broader group
Eligibility criteria for this year’s broader group will be available to view on our website when applications open later this year. In the meantime, you can pre-register for this year’s scheme.
You might be eligible for additional support through OVO’s Extra Support. You can check your eligibility and apply today.
More ways to get financial support
If you’re struggling financially or you’re worried about your energy bills, we’re here to support you. There are also other ways we can help.
You can find out about other available payment schemes, as well as where to get advice. Our team can also give you this information when you get in touch and they can make sure you receive any financial help you’re eligible for.