British Gas sending £150 to state pensioners in November on top of Winter Fuel Payment

Energy giant British Gas has confirmed it is sending £150 payments to state pensioners from November - on top of their £200 to £300 Winter Fuel Payments. The supplier has confirmed that it is sending Warm Home Discount cash to customers for this winter in England, Wales and Scotland from November.

The payments will start going out in November and continue to be paid up until March 2026, though most customers should get the money by January. The money in the Warm Home Discount scheme isn't only paid to state pensioners, but is given to low income families too. The scheme has been expanded for this winter, with an extra 900,000 families now qualifying for the money, meaning six million households in total will get the cash.

To be eligible for the money, you need to have been claiming one of these seven means-tested benefits as of August 24:

• Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit

• The Savings Credit part of Pension Credit

• Income support

• Income based Jobseekers Allowance

• Income Related Employment and Support Allowance

• Housing Benefit

• Universal Credit

You won't be able to get the payment if you weren't claiming any one or more of those benefits on August 24, 2025.

British Gas says: "If you qualify for the winter 2025/26 payment, you will have your one-off £150 discount applied between November 2025 and March 31, 2026 at the latest, with most customers receiving their WHD before January 2026.

"The eligibility requirements have been expanded for the coming scheme so more customers will benefit from the Warm Home Discount payment for winter 2025/2026.

"To qualify, you need to claim either the Guarantee Credit portion of Pension Credit or a different 'qualifying benefit'.

"If you live in England or Wales and we supply your electricity, you do not need to apply. The Government decide who is eligible and will write to you if you are. We then make the payment to you by March 31, 2026."