Dual fuel Switching eligibility & requirements (UK)

Navigating Energy Support: Your Guide to Dual Fuel Rebates

As energy costs remain a significant household expense, understanding the available support is crucial. The government’s Warm Home Discount (WHD) scheme offers a one-off £150 rebate on electricity bills for eligible low-income households. For those with dual fuel accounts- where one company supplies both gas and electricity- this scheme provides vital financial relief and flexibility heading into the winter of 2025/26.

Who This Guide is For

This information is intended for households in Great Britain, particularly those receiving means-tested benefits, who wish to understand their eligibility for financial support with energy bills. It is especially relevant if you are the named bill payer on your electricity account and want to confirm whether you qualify for the automatic £150 rebate.

Understanding Key Energy Support Terms

The landscape of energy support involves specific terminology. A clear understanding is the first step towards accessing the help available.

• Dual Fuel: This refers to having the same supplier for both your gas and electricity. It often simplifies billing and can sometimes offer access to more competitive tariffs.
• Warm Home Discount (WHD) Scheme: A government initiative that provides a £150 payment to help vulnerable people in Great Britain with their energy costs. It is not paid to you directly but is applied as a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October and March.
• Means-Tested Benefits: These are state benefits available to individuals and households whose income and capital are below certain levels. For the 2025/26 WHD scheme, these include benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit.
• Energy Price Cap: Regulated by Ofgem, the price cap limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of gas and electricity on a standard variable tariff. For an average dual fuel household, this is set at £1,720 per year from July 2025, but it does not cap your total bill.

Understanding these terms is not just about definitions- it is about knowing what you may be entitled to and how to manage your household energy costs effectively.

Your Options for Tariffs and Rebates

With the WHD scheme, eligible customers have specific options that can help manage winter bills, especially those on dual fuel tariffs.

Rebate Application: By default, the £150 WHD rebate is applied to your electricity bill. However, if you are a dual fuel customer with the same supplier for both fuels, you have an important choice. You can contact your supplier and request that the rebate be applied to your gas bill instead. This can be particularly helpful for managing higher gas consumption during the colder months.

Tariff Choices: While the WHD provides a rebate, choosing the right tariff remains a key part of managing your bills. Dual fuel deals often provide a small discount for consolidating your services with one supplier. It is important to compare these against the standard variable tariff (SVT), which is protected by the Ofgem price cap.

The Financial Impact of the Scheme

The primary benefit of the WHD scheme is the direct financial relief it provides. The £150 one-off payment can significantly offset the higher energy usage typical of the winter season. For a household on the average dual fuel price cap of £1,720, this represents a reduction of nearly 9% on their annual bill.

For winter 2025/26, access has been widened in England and Wales with the removal of the ‘high cost to heat’ threshold. Previously, some households on qualifying benefits were excluded if their property was not deemed expensive to heat. This change means more low-income families will receive support automatically, regardless of their property’s age or type.

However, it is vital to be aware of the deadlines. The qualifying date is 24 August 2025. If your circumstances change after this date, it may affect your eligibility for the upcoming winter’s payment. Missing the final contact deadline in February 2026 means you will forfeit the rebate for that year.

Confirming Your Eligibility for Support

Eligibility for the WHD scheme is determined by your circumstances on a specific date and the benefits you receive. For winter 2025/26, the criteria have been clarified.

Key Eligibility Requirements:

1. You must be a household in Great Britain.
2. Your energy supplier must be part of the scheme.
3. Your name (or your partner’s) must be on the electricity bill.
4. You must be receiving a qualifying means-tested benefit on the qualifying date of 24 August 2025.

For 2025/26, a key change is that Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit are no longer qualifying benefits. The primary qualifying benefits include:

• Universal Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Pension Credit (both Guarantee Credit and Savings Credit)

Regional Differences: While the core criteria are set for Great Britain, there are slight regional variations. In England and Wales, eligibility is now streamlined for anyone on the benefits listed above. Scotland, however, retains its ‘Broader Group’, which allows suppliers to support households who are at risk of fuel poverty but do not meet the core criteria.

The Rebate Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

For most eligible households, the process is automatic. You do not need to apply.

1. Eligibility Check: Your details are checked by the DWP against your energy supplier’s records as of the qualifying date (24 August 2025).
2. Confirmation Letter: Between October and December 2025, you will receive a letter confirming your eligibility and rebate.
3. Automatic Payment: The £150 discount is automatically applied to your electricity bill between October 2025 and March 2026.
4. Dual Fuel Option: If you have a dual fuel account, you can contact your supplier to move the discount to your gas bill.
5. Action Required? Some letters may ask you to call a helpline to confirm your details. Do this promptly.
6. Query Deadline: If you believe you are eligible but have not received a letter by mid-January 2026, you must contact the WHD helpline before the 27 February 2026 deadline.

Considerations and Key Factors

Pros

• Automatic Process: Most people receive the rebate without having to apply, reducing administrative barriers.
• Significant Support: The £150 discount provides tangible help with high winter bills.
• Wider Access: The removal of the ‘high cost to heat’ rule in England and Wales simplifies eligibility and includes more households.
• Dual Fuel Flexibility: The option to apply the rebate to a gas bill offers better budget management.

Cons

• Strict Deadlines: The qualifying and contact dates are inflexible. Missing them means missing out on the payment for that year.
• Benefit Changes: As demonstrated by the removal of tax credits, changes to qualifying benefits can leave some households ineligible from one year to the next.
• Supplier Dependent: You only qualify if your energy supplier is part of the scheme (though all major suppliers are).

Before You Act: What to Watch Out For

It is crucial to be prepared. The most important date is the qualifying date: 24 August 2025. Your eligibility is determined based on your circumstances on this single day. Ensure the person named on the electricity bill is the one receiving the qualifying benefit.

Remember: Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will no longer make you eligible for the WHD scheme from April 2025 onwards.

Keep an eye out for your letter between October and December 2025. If it does not arrive by mid-January 2026 and you believe you should qualify, you must take action. Contact the official WHD helpline before the final deadline of 27 February 2026.

Other Support and Alternatives

If you do not qualify for the WHD, or if you need more help, other avenues of support are available. Households with a total annual income below £31,000, or those receiving benefits like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit, may be eligible for additional assistance.

This can include:

• Free home energy advice: Professional guidance on reducing your energy consumption.
• Energy efficiency measures: Support for installing insulation or other home improvements.
• Scottish Broader Group: In Scotland, energy suppliers have obligations to support a ‘Broader Group’ of customers at risk of fuel poverty, which may have wider eligibility than the core UK scheme. Check with your supplier if you live in Scotland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to apply for the Warm Home Discount?

In most cases, no. If you meet the eligibility criteria, you will be identified automatically through data matching between government departments and energy suppliers. You will receive a letter confirming this.

What are the qualifying benefits for winter 2025/26?

The main qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Income-related ESA, Income-based JSA, Income Support, and Pension Credit (Savings Credit). Tax credits are no longer included.

I have a dual fuel account. Can I get the discount on my gas bill?

Yes. Although the discount is applied to your electricity bill by default, you can contact your supplier and ask for it to be applied to your gas bill instead. This option is only available for dual fuel customers.

What is the qualifying date for the 2025/26 scheme?

The qualifying date is 24 August 2025. Your circumstances on this day will determine if you receive the payment.

I live in Scotland. Are the rules different?

Yes, slightly. While the core scheme is the same, Scottish energy suppliers also have a ‘Broader Group’ to support additional low-income and vulnerable households who might not meet the main criteria. Contact your supplier for details.

What should I do if I think I’m eligible but don’t receive a letter?

If you have not received a letter by mid-January 2026, you must contact the official Warm Home Discount helpline before the claim deadline of 27 February 2026.

Next Steps

1. Check Your Bill: Confirm whose name is on the electricity bill, as this is critical for eligibility.
2. Review Your Benefits: Compare the benefits you receive against the official qualifying list for the WHD scheme.
3. Mark Your Calendar: Note the key dates- especially the 24 August 2025 qualifying date and the 27 February 2026 contact deadline.
4. Compare Tariffs: Regardless of your WHD eligibility, use an energy comparison service to ensure you are on the best possible dual fuel tariff for your needs.

Disclaimer

The information in this article is correct at the time of publication and is for informational purposes only. Government support schemes, eligibility criteria, and energy prices are subject to change. Please consult official government sources (GOV.UK) and your energy supplier for the most current information and to confirm your personal eligibility.