The energy social tariff:
what it is and how to get it
A plain-English guide to the energy social tariff, the Warm Home Discount, the Winter Fuel Payment, and every other scheme that can cut your bill if you qualify.
The energy social tariff is a discounted rate offered by individual suppliers to customers on benefits or low incomes. It is not a single national scheme. The biggest guaranteed help is the Warm Home Discount at £150 off your electricity bill, which is automatic for most pensioners on Guarantee Credit. If you are on qualifying benefits, contact your supplier to ask what they offer.
Every scheme that can reduce your energy bill
Warm Home Discount
A government-backed scheme that gives £150 off your electricity bill between October and March. Most pensioners receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit get this automatically with no need to apply. Households on certain low-income benefits may also qualify but may need to contact their supplier to claim. Your supplier must participate in the scheme for you to be eligible.
Energy social tariff
The energy social tariff is not a single national scheme. It is a discounted unit rate or standing charge offered voluntarily by some suppliers to customers on benefits or low incomes. Octopus Energy, British Gas, and EDF are among the suppliers that have offered social tariffs. Eligibility criteria and discount levels vary. Contact your supplier to ask whether they offer one and whether you qualify.
Winter Fuel Payment
An annual payment to help older people cover heating costs in winter. As of 2024, the Winter Fuel Payment is now means-tested and limited to pensioners receiving Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits. If you are of pension age and receiving Pension Credit, you should receive this automatically. If you are not currently receiving Pension Credit but may be eligible, it is worth applying as it also unlocks the Warm Home Discount.
Priority Services Register
The Priority Services Register is a free service for people who may need extra support, including elderly customers, those with medical conditions, disabilities, or families with young children. Being on the register means your supplier and network operator will prioritise you during power cuts and can provide additional services including advance notice of planned outages and alternative heating during emergencies.
Who qualifies for the energy social tariff?
Eligibility for the energy social tariff varies by supplier since there is no single set of national rules. However, most suppliers that offer a social tariff use benefit status as the main criteria. The benefits that commonly qualify include:
| Benefit | Typically qualifies for social tariff | Typically qualifies for Warm Home Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit) | Automatic | |
| Universal Credit | May qualify (check with supplier) | |
| Income Support | May qualify (check with supplier) | |
| Income-related ESA | May qualify (check with supplier) | |
| Income-based JSA | May qualify (check with supplier) | |
| Child Tax Credit | May qualify (check with supplier) |
The best approach is to contact your supplier directly, tell them which benefit you receive, and ask whether they offer a social tariff and whether you qualify. If your current supplier does not offer one, it may be worth comparing and switching to one that does. See our energy tariff comparison for current deals.
Also worth checking: are you on the best tariff?
Even if you qualify for a social tariff, switching to a cheaper deal could save you more. Compare tariffs in five minutes.
How to get the energy social tariff
There is no central application portal for the energy social tariff. The process is straightforward: call or message your energy supplier, tell them you are on a qualifying benefit, and ask whether they offer a social tariff and what the process is for applying. You will typically need to provide proof of the benefit you receive, such as a letter from DWP or HMRC.
If your current supplier does not offer a social tariff, consider switching. Not all suppliers have one, and moving to a supplier that does could mean accessing both a discounted rate and a better standard tariff than you are currently on. You can switch supplier without losing your Warm Home Discount eligibility as long as your new supplier also participates in the scheme.
For the Warm Home Discount, most eligible pensioners receive the £150 credit automatically between October and March, applied directly to their electricity account. If you think you qualify but have not received it, contact your supplier before the scheme year closes.
Questions people ask
The energy social tariff is a discounted rate offered by some suppliers to customers on benefits or low incomes. It is not a national scheme. Eligibility and discount levels vary by supplier. Contact your supplier directly to ask whether they offer one.
Eligibility varies by supplier but typically includes households on Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-related ESA, income-based JSA, or Child Tax Credit. Contact your supplier with proof of your benefit to find out what they offer.
The Warm Home Discount is a £150 discount on your electricity bill, applied between October and March. Most pensioners on Guarantee Credit receive it automatically. Some households on qualifying benefits may also be eligible but need to contact their supplier to claim.
Contact your energy supplier directly, tell them which benefit you receive, and ask whether they offer a social tariff. You will usually need to provide proof of your benefit. If your supplier does not offer one, it may be worth switching to one that does.
The main schemes in 2026 are the Warm Home Discount (£150 off electricity), the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners on Pension Credit, the Priority Services Register for vulnerable households, and the energy social tariff from individual suppliers. Some councils also offer local grants for energy efficiency improvements.
Related energy guides
Not sure what help you qualify for?
Get in touch and we will help you work out which schemes apply to your situation.
Get in touch