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Warm Home Discount with Octopus Energy (2026 to 2027)
Who qualifies for the £150 Warm Home Discount with Octopus in England and Wales, the dates that matter this winter and what to do if no letter arrives.
Edited by Rob Gibbs. Published: . Guidance reviewed: .
Short answer
In England and Wales you qualify for the 2026 to 2027 discount if, on 23 August 2026, your supplier was in the scheme and you or your partner got Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related ESA or Pension Credit, and your name (or your partner’s) was on the electricity bill. Most eligible households are paid automatically. A letter arrives between late October 2026 and early January 2027, and the £150 is applied by 31 March 2027.
Who qualifies in England and Wales
All three of these must have applied on 23 August 2026:
- Your electricity supplier was part of the scheme.
- You or your partner got Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance or Pension Credit.
- Your name, or your partner’s, was on the electricity bill.
The name on the bill matters
The discount is matched to the electricity account holder. If you get a qualifying benefit but the bill is in someone else’s name, such as a former partner or a landlord, you may not be matched automatically. Make sure the account name is right well before the next qualifying date.
Letters and deadlines this winter
Letters go out between late October 2026 and early January 2027. If your letter says you qualify, you do not need to do anything: your supplier applies the discount by 31 March 2027. If it asks for more information, call the helpline by 26 February 2027. If no letter has arrived by early January 2027, contact the scheme yourself.
Scotland
The rules in Scotland are different, and the scheme does not cover Northern Ireland. Check the GOV.UK guidance for Scotland if you live there.
Questions people ask
Do I need to apply to Octopus for the Warm Home Discount?
Usually not. In England and Wales most eligible households are matched automatically and told by letter. You only need to act if your letter asks for more information or no letter arrives by early January 2027.
How is the discount paid?
As a one-off £150 credit on your electricity account, applied by your supplier.
Tariffs in this guide
Related guides
- Your fixed tariff is ending: what to do and whenThe 49-day exit-fee window, the 45-day point when Octopus shows your options, and what happens if you do nothing when a fix ends.
- How to submit a meter reading to Octopus EnergyWhere to send an Octopus meter reading, how often to do it, how to read each type of meter and what to do when a reading looks wrong.
- Can you refuse a smart meter?Whether you can say no to a smart meter, what changes when an old meter must be replaced, and what you give up without one.
- Understanding your Octopus Energy billWhat each part of an Octopus bill means: unit rates, standing charges, estimated and actual readings, VAT and your account balance.
- How to change tariff as an existing Octopus customerWhen and how existing Octopus customers can move tariff, the 45-day rule for fixed deals, and what to check before choosing a smart tariff.
- Why the Octopus app and your bill do not matchCommon reasons the usage or cost shown in the Octopus app differs from your bill, and how to tell which figure to trust.
Primary sources
- Warm Home Discount Scheme: if you live in England or Wales — GOV.UK; checked 2026-10-30. 2026 to 2027 eligibility date, qualifying benefits, bill-name rule, letters and deadlines.
- Warm Home Discount Scheme: overview — GOV.UK; checked 2026-10-30. The £150 discount and separate eligibility routes in England, Wales and Scotland.