State pensioners are being reminded to contact the DWP if they haven’t received a letter about the £150 Warm Home Discount by early January 2026, with the electricity bill discount to be applied by 31 March.
James Rodger Content Editor
13:57, 05 Jan 2026
State pensioners are set to receive an additional £150 payment boost(Image: Alphotographic via Getty Images)
State pensioners are set to receive an additional £150 payment boost in January, with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) urging those who fail to receive it to get in touch. The DWP has advised that if you haven’t received correspondence from the Warm Home Discount Scheme by early January 2026 and believe you meet the criteria, you should make contact.
The deadline for doing so is 28 February 2026. Eligibility for the discount requires that all of the following conditions were met on 24 August 2025: your energy supplier participates in the scheme AND your name (or your partner’s) appears on the electricity account AND either you or your partner receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (regardless of whether you also receive Savings Credit).
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This classification is referred to as the ‘core group 1’ across England and Wales, whilst in Scotland it’s simply termed the ‘core group’. Should you not receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you may still qualify if you’re on a low income, whether in England and Wales or in Scotland, reports Birmingham Live.
Letters confirming eligibility for the scheme will be dispatched between late October 2025 and early January 2026, or indicating that you may qualify but require submission of additional details.
The DWP stated: “Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you do not get a letter by early January 2026.
“If you’re eligible for the scheme, your letter will confirm you do not need to do anything. Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2026.
“If you need to give more information, your letter will tell you to call the helpline by 28 February 2026 to confirm your details.”