24 energy companies handing out free £150 payment that's 'automatic'

A whole host of energy firms are paying out £150 payments to customers that are "automatic". The Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) Warm Home Discount scheme will hand energy customers claiming certain benefits a £150 discount.

People should automatically receive the £150 discount if one or both of you receive the Guarantee Credit portion of the benefit Pension Credit - this is known as “core group one” in England and Wales and "core group" in Scotland.

You may also automatically get the Warm Home Discount if you are on a low income, claiming certain benefits and have high energy costs. This is known as being in the "core group two" if you live in England and Wales. If you live in Scotland and you claim certain benefits, you will likely need to apply.

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The qualifying means-tested benefits include Income related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Universal Credit, Housing benefit, Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits, and Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC).

According to the DWP website, the following suppliers are taking part in this year's Warm Home Discount scheme:

Affect Energy (now part of Octopus Energy)

Boost Energy

British Gas (including Scottish Gas)

Co-op Energy (now part of Octopus Energy)

E (gas and electricity)

Ecotricity

EDF Energy

E.ON Next

Good Energy

Home Energy

London Power

Octopus Energy

Outfox the Market

OVO Energy

Rebel Energy

Sainsbury's Energy

ScottishPower

Shell Energy Retail

So Energy

Tomato Energy

Tru Energy

Utilita

Utility Warehouse

100Green (previously Green Energy UK)

The 24 firms say if you qualify for the winter 2024/25 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied by the end of March next year at the latest. The Warm Home Discount was first introduced by the Government in April 2011 to help eligible customers in England, Scotland and Wales with their energy bills during the winter. It’s there to provide support for those living on low incomes or pensions.