Energy rebate rules leave refugees facing fuel poverty in Scotland

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) was first introduced by the UK Government in 2011, with the aim of supporting those on low income with heating during the winter months, writes Citizens Advice Bureau volunteer Sophie Gleisner.

In 2026, this currently stands as a rebate of £150; 3.22 million households received this funding directly to their energy accounts across 2024/25.

In Scotland, the scheme is divided into Core Group 1 and the Broader Group – each dependent on specific benefit requirements.

Those in Core Group 1 do not need to apply and should receive a letter from their energy supplier confirming this – with the deadline to meet the requirements typically in August.

Those in the Broader Group have previously had to apply themselves, although the Scottish Government announced in January 2026 that it was planning to reform the system, so that most recipients would receive this automatically this winter. This would mark an estimated increase of 250,000 additional families supported – a major step in tackling the cost-of-living crisis.

Despite the significant expansion of the WHD scheme in Scotland, which is confirmed to continue until 2030/31, the eligibility requirements remain unchanged.

Those in either group, must still meet the following conditions in order to receive the fuel rebate:

• your energy supplier is part of the scheme

• you (or your partner) receive certain means-tested benefits

• your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill

This means, however, that a profound structural gap remains, disproportionately affecting those who are already vulnerable: asylum seekers.

When asylum seekers first arrive in Scotland, they are placed into temporary accommodation, which is either privately or council owned.

As their bills are paid for them while in temporary accommodation, this means that they do not have a direct relationship with their electricity supplier and thus do not have their name on the electricity bill.

As a result, numerous asylum seekers and refugees are left unable to receive the WHD as they do not meet the outlined eligibility requirements by the August deadline.

When they are later granted refugee status, and gain access to public funds, they may move into private rented accommodation. Yet this transition often occurs midwinter, after the August qualifying date has passed.

Consequently, charities like the Citizens Advice Bureau are seeing an influx of asylum seekers and refugees in significant energy debt – due to the cold Scottish winters and financial vulnerability – who cannot claim the WHD.

The combination of delayed refugee status, seasonal timing and the WHD’s structural requirements creates near-guaranteed fuel poverty for a significant number of newly recognised refugees.

While energy suppliers do offer grants – often when a debt of £1,000 has been accrued – and groups like the Changeworks Energy Advice Service exist, they do not replace the £150 that the WHD gap denies to those who need it most urgently.

The solution to this issue need not be complex. Rather, creating a targeted one-off payment for newly housed refugees, or extending the WHD eligibility to cover the period until a household establishes its first energy payment, would significantly close this gap.

Until then, this otherwise crucial scheme remains out of reach for some of the coldest, and most vulnerable, houses in the country.