The Warm Home Discount (WHD) Scheme returns for 2023/2024. This page will explain what Warm Home Discount is and where to apply for it.  If you are eligible, you'll receive your credit before 31 March 2024. 

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What is the Warm Home Discount Scheme?

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a Government initiative designed to support lower income households through the winter. If you qualify you will receive a one-off credit of £150 on your energy bill. Each household can only receive the Warm Home Discount credit once. You can find further information about the scheme from Ofgem here and the Government here.


Warm Home Discount Groups

The scheme is split into multiple 'groups'. Even if you qualify for the scheme as part of multiple groups, you will only receive the credit once. 

Some groups are only available in certain regions of Great Britain. Northern Ireland has it's separate energy system, and we do not supply any customers there. 

The Groups are:

  • Core Group 1 - England, Wales and Scotland
  • Core Group 2 - England and Wales only
  • Broader Group - Scotland only


Core Group 1 (Scotland, England & Wales Customers)

You qualify for the Warm Home Discount as part of Core Group 1 if you receive the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit (even if you also receive Savings Credit) and you were a So Energy customer on or before 13th August 2023. 

If you receive Guaranteed Credit, starting from October 2023, you will be sent a letter from the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) informing you that you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount and there's nothing else you need to do - we will add the credit to your account before April 2024.

Alternatively, you will receive a letter from the DWP advising that you may need to confirm certain details on the official Warm Home Discount Helpline (0800 107 8002  - opens in late October 2023). Once the DWP is satisfied that you are eligible, they will instruct us to add the credit to your account before April 2024. 

You will also need to contact the Helpline to apply if you do not receive a letter telling you are eligible and you believe you are. 


Core Group 2  (England and Wales Customers only)

Core Group 2 has replaced Broader Group for customers that live in England and Wales. You qualify for the Warm Home Discount as part of Core Group 2 if you are identified by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) as being eligible. Eligibility will depend on receiving some means-tested benefits or tax credits and living in a household identified as being at risk of fuel poverty. For more information on who is eligible and how to apply please visit the Government website.

If you have been identified as eligible by the DWP, starting from October 2023, you will be sent a letter from them informing you that you are eligible for the Warm Home Discount and there's nothing else you need to do - we will add the credit to your account before April 2024.

Alternatively, you will receive a letter from the DWP advising that you may need to confirm certain details on the official Warm Home Discount Helpline (0800 107 8002  - opens in late October 2023). Once the DWP is satisfied that you are eligible, they will instruct us to add the credit to your account before April 2024. 

You will also need to contact the Helpline to apply if you do not receive a letter telling you are eligible and you believe you are.



Core Group 1 & 2 Notification

The DWP will start issuing letters to those households that could be eligible. You do not need to receive such a letter to apply - if you believe you are eligible under Core Groups 1 or 2, you can apply directly with the WHD Helpline on 0800 107 8002 (opens late October 2023).

There is no need to contact So Energy about Core Group 1 & 2 applications - we can only apply the credit once the Government tells us directly and sends us an instruction to pay. Once we receive that instruction and apply your credit, we will let you know.



Broader Group (Scotland customers only)

Customers in Scotland who are not part of Core Group 1 can still apply for the WHD as part of the Broader Group, if they meet the eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria change each year and can be found on our Eligibility page. 

Unlike the Core Group, the application is made directly with So Energy. Scottish customers will see the below tile appear in their account home page for them to select and apply for Broader Group.

Once you apply, we will review your application and get back to you with a decision or a request for further information (if you do get such a request, please supply the requested evidence in a timely manner to progress with your application). The number of credits that we can award under the Broader Group is limited and will be awarded on a first come, first served basis. If you are eligible, we encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity - applications are now open


I'm a Gas Only Customer

If you only have a gas supply with So Energy, your electricity supplier will be responsible for arranging the Warm Home Discount for your account so we encourage you to contact them for any information. Gas only customers are not eligible for the Warm Home Discount.

Find additional queries on our Warm Home Discount Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.