Warm Home Discount winter 2026-27; new eligibility rules for Scotland.

Newcad

I have just noticed that new legislation came into force on May 1st 2026 that expands the automatic eligibility for Warm Home Discount in Scotland, to bring it more into line with England/Wales.

This means that more households in Scotland will now qualify automatically for a £150 Warm Home Discount next winter without having to make an application.

Ofgem page:

https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/warm-home-discount-whd/eligibility#heading-who-is-eligible-for-the-automatic-core-group-rebate-in-scotland

Who is eligible for the automatic core group rebate in Scotland

Participating suppliers are obligated to provide a direct discount of £150 for those eligible into their electricity account.

You are eligible for the discount if you or your partner receives a qualifying core group benefit, your supplier is participating in the scheme or qualify for any additional criteria.

Core group criteria apply to those in Scotland who receive:

*State pension credit
*Universal credit
*Income support or Income based jobseekers Allowance
*Income Related Employment Support Allowance
*Support for Mortgage Interest

For those who want to read the actual legislation:
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2026/488/contents/made