State pensioners getting one benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will receive an automatic £150 discount on their energy bills this year.

The government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme is due to reopen in October which will grant eligible households a one-off discount from their electricity supplier. The eligibility criteria for this year’s scheme has been confirmed and will see those who get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit qualify for the £150 off bills. Pension Credit is a benefit paid by the DWP to those over State Pension age and on a low income to help with living costs.

It is paid separately from the State Pension and you can get it even if you have other income, savings or own your own home.

Pension Credit tops up your weekly income to £227.10 if you’re single, or your joint weekly income to £346.60 if you have a partner, and these top ups are known as ‘Guarantee Credit’.

So if you qualify for this Guarantee Credit element and are on a low income, then you will qualify for the Warm Home Discount this year.

Those who are eligible will receive the £150 discount automatically – it won’t be paid directly to your bank account, it will instead be applied to your electricity bill by your supplier and you’ll need to stay with your supplier until it’s paid.

The government said: “The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill. The money is not paid to you.

“You’ll usually get the discount automatically if you’re eligible. You only need to apply if you’re on a low income in Scotland – contact your energy supplier to apply.

“You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.”

Listed are all 27 electricity suppliers taking part in the Warm Home Discount Scheme:

• 100Green (formerly Green Energy UK or GEUK)
• Affect Energy – see Octopus Energy
• Boost
• British Gas
• Bulb Energy – see Octopus Energy
• Co-op Energy – see Octopus Energy
• E – also known as E (Gas and Electricity)
• Ecotricity
• E.ON Next
• EDF
• Fuse Energy
• Good Energy
• Home Energy
• London Power
• Octopus Energy
• Outfox the Market
• OVO
• Rebel Energy
• Sainsbury’s Energy
• Scottish Gas – see British Gas
• ScottishPower
• Shell Energy Retail
• So Energy
• Tomato Energy
• TruEnergy
• Utilita
• Utility Warehouse