British Gas, OVO, EDF, EON, Octopus handing state pensioners automatic £150 payment

The Warm Home Discount helps eligible customers cover their high winter bills. Customers who qualify receive a credit of £150 towards their energy bills before 31 March 2025

British Gas, EON, EDF, Octopus and OVO are sending £150 to state pensioners from October. The Warm Home Discount helps eligible customers cover their high winter bills. Customers who qualify receive a credit of £150 towards their energy bills before 31 March 2025.

British Gas has confirmed it is taking part in the Warm Home Discount scheme, while EON, EDF, and Ovo are also taking part. Octopus has also committed to the payments and explained on its website: "11 August 2024 is the qualifying date for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2. You must meet the eligibility criteria on this date to be eligible for a rebate. If your benefits claim is backdated to this date or earlier, you may also become eligible for a rebate.

"On 14 October 2024 the WHD helpline opens for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2 customers in England and Wales. If you are eligible, the energy supplier who supplied your electricity on the qualifying date 11 August 2024 will be responsible for providing the rebate.

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"The telephone number for the WHD helpline will be updated here once it is open to customers. Between October and December 2024, letters will be sent to qualifying customers for Core Group 1 and Core Group 2. The letter will confirm if you are eligible for an automatic rebate or advise you to call a helpline to check if you are eligible.

"If you have not received a letter early January 2025, but you think you should be eligible for a rebate under Core Group 1 or Core Group 2, please check the government website gov.uk for more information on eligibility and contacting the helpline. 28 February 2025 is the deadline to contact the Warm Home Discount helpline if you are advised to get in touch in your letter. Please contact the helpline included in your letter before this date if you're eligible to make sure you don't miss out on the payment."

In England and Wales there are now two Core Groups. There is “Core Group 1” those in receipt of the guaranteed element of pension credit and “Core Group 2” those on certain means tested benefits and the highest heating costs.

In Scotland there is still the "Core Group" and the "Broader Group". If you're in the Core Group then you may qualify for the Warm Home Discount scheme automatically, and the DWP will get in touch to let you know.

If you live in Scotland and think that you're part of the Broader Group then you'll need to apply.