DWP warning to anyone getting phone call over £150 scheme restarting in days

The Department for Work and Pensions is warning people to watch out for fraudsters with onlydays remaining before the Warm Home Discount scheme launches again. The department has urged anyone who receives dodgy calls or messages to flag the matter to Action Fraud UK.

Officials confirmed on X precisely how thepayments are handed outand why criminals might exploit this process. They said: "If you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount, the £150 credit will be automatically applied to your electricity account.

“If you get a call asking you to apply for the discount, it’s a scam. For more information about the Warm Home Discount, visit (the Gov.uk website)”

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Unlike other seasonal discounts or DWP benefits, the Warm Home Discount isn't paid directly to those who qualify for it. Rather, it's automatically added to their electricity bill.

It's a one-off payment with a fixed rate so everyone who qualifies will see £150 knocked off their bill. If your provider supplies you with both electricity and gas, the discount could be added to your gas bill instead but you'll need to contact your supplier to check this.

The Warm Home Discount also won't impact Cold Weather Payments or Winter Fuel Payments. People in Scotland, though, will need to apply for the discount if they qualify because they are on a low income. They'll need to contact their energy supplier for more details.

Eligibility for the Warm Home Discount varies depending on your location. In England and Wales, changes were made earlier this year, meaning every household where the bill payer is in receipt of an eligible means-tested benefit can now claim the discount.

This includes:

• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income Support
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit

However, to qualify for the discount this year, the person receiving these benefits must have been named on the electricity bill by 24 August 2025. This date marks when energy suppliers began matching customer records with eligibility for the discount.

Households that missed this deadline may still be able to receive the discount this year, but they will need to wait for a letter explaining their next steps. The Government advises: "If they have not received a letter by January 2026, then they will need to call the helpline."

In Scotland, those named on their electricity bill and receiving the Guarantee element of Pension Credit will automatically receive the discount. Those on other means-tested benefits will need to apply for the discount through their energy supplier from October.