Warm Home Discount 2026/2027

Newcad

It's that time of year again.

The qualifying date for this year's scheme was 23 August 2026.
If you were eligible on that date, and your energy supplier is part of the scheme (most are), the you will get the WHD this year.

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

EDIT 19th October -
The scheme is now ‘Live’ and the telephone helpline has opened.

Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline
Telephone: 0800 030 9322
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 229 4325
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

There are once again new eligibility rules for those in Scotland which mean that more people will qualify automatically for the Core Group without having to apply.

The new eligibility rules for Scotland  (if it's automatic for you, or if you'll need to apply) are set out here:  https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/if-you-live-in-scotland

If you live in England or Wales, you don't need to apply for the Warm Home Discount, if you are eligible, you will be contacted by the UK Government between October and January.

For those in Scotland who do still need to register the 2026-2027 scheme is now starting up with some suppliers. (As usual OVO seem to have been the first to open registration)

If you are an OVO customer, live in SCOTLAND, and are not in this years new core group, then you should register with this form: https://whd.ovoenergy.com/

If you are with a different supplier, live in SCOTLAND, and are not in this years new core group, then check if your own supplier has opened registration yet.

nannytone_2

I'm with eon and my account was credited last week

Newcad

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82170874#Comment_82170874

Interestingly I switched from OVO to Eon.next last month.

However on the WHD qualifying date I was still an OVO customer.

That means that OVO are responsible for paying my WHD this year*. And as I am no longer their customer they can't credit it to my account so under Ofgem rules have to pay it to me. (I've checked and it will/should be a cheque).

*TBH as I became a pensioner in February and so my UC stopped I wasn't sure I'd get WHD this year, but I now get some Pension Age Housing Benefit and HB qualifies.

TimeLord1

I think the people on UC seem to be first and pension credit last. @Newcad will probably see the difference now 😁

Newcad

True, I also suspect that as I am no longer their customer I may have to give OVO a poke or two before I get it.

There again as a pensioner born before 27 June 1960 I'll also get the Winter Fuel Payment from the DWP.

Newcad

The 2026-27 scheme has today gone 'live' and the telephone and Relay helplines have opened.

Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline
Telephone: 0800 030 9322
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 229 4325
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

72kit_co_uk

Thanks for the helpline update. Worth adding for anyone who qualifies for WHD: check whether you can also join the Priority Services Register with your energy supplier and electricity network. It's free, and if you're eligible (for example over pension age, with young children, or with a disability or health condition) you get extra help and updates during power cuts.

kaMelo

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173629#Comment_82173629

Whilst I echo your statement about the PSR I'm pretty sure having small children is not a qualifying reason to register.

Spoonie_Turtle

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82173697#Comment_82173697

One of the previous qualifying conditions for the WHD was having young children (under 5, I think?). Also the CWP has a criterion about having children under 5. Ofgem doesn't specify on this page, it just says 'young children', but one would reasonably assume they also mean that sort of age.

kaMelo

I retract my statement then and stand corrected, although I think when the net is cast so wide it detracts from the real reasons for having such a scheme, (If everyone is special, no one is )