A previous version of this story confused the date for which people will need to qualify for criteria with a deadline to apply, which is not the case. The story has been updated to make this clear.

Millions of households across England and Wales could be set for a £150 boost to help with energy costs.

The Warm Home Discount provides households with energy bill support during the colder months. Following changes to the scheme introduced by the Government, you no longer need to apply if your eligible.

Energy customers qualify if they are claiming either Income support, Income based jobseeker's allowance or Income related employment and support allowance. Alternatively, they could also be eligible if claiming Housing Benefit, Universal Credit Child tax credit, Working tax credits, Pension credit or Pension credit savings credit – plus, your home must meet the new ‘high energy cost’ rules.

Customers will need to meet the qualifying criteria on 21 August to be eligible. The Government then tells firms who to pay.

The money will not be paid in cash but instead will serve as a one-off discount on your electricity bill between October and March. People may also be able to get a discount on their gas bill if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.

The government has announced detail of further support for households across England, Scotland and Wales who will receive £400 to help with rising energy bills this winter.

The money, which is part of the Energy Bill Support Scheme announced in May this year, will come in six instalments over six months to some 29 million households.

Households will not receive a one-off payment, instead they will see £66 taken off their energy bills in October and November, and £67 between December and March, the Government said.