£30 million paid this year to help households with higher energy bills     

Number of winter payments passes 400,000 mark   

People in Scotland have received more than £30 million via two Scottish Government benefits to help them deal with increased energy costs this winter, new statistics have shown.  

Winter Heating Payment supports households on low incomes, including older people, disabled people and families with children under five.   

Child Winter Heating Payment helps families of the most severely disabled children and young people.    

The official figures show more than 400,000 Winter Heating Payments of £55.05 were issued between November last year and the end of March. More than 30,000 Child Winter Heating Payments of £235.70 were made in the same spell.   

Winter Heating Payment replaced the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment in 2023. Most people getting it receive more money on average than via Cold Weather Payment.

People receive Winter Heating Payment whatever the weather, unlike Cold Weather Payment when the temperature needs to drop to a specific level. 

Child Winter Payment, introduced in 2020, is not available anywhere else in the UK. There is also no cap on the number of children who can get it in the same family.  

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Shirley-Anne Somerville, said:   

“The £30.2 million paid over the course of winter provides support to those who need it most. It is being paid quickly and effectively to help mitigate the worst of the cost of living crisis. 

“Winter Heating Payment guarantees those who qualify will get a payment every year – in contrast to the UK Government approach which needs the weather to be under a certain temperature for a sustained spell.   

“Both Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment have recently been increased in line with inflation which means we will be getting more money into people’s pockets in 2024/25. I am pleased that we are getting the vast majority of these payments to people in good time.  

“I urge anyone who is struggling during the cost-of-living crisis to visit the Scottish Government’s Cost of Living website for support and advice.”   

Background   

Full details of the official statistics are available to view at <<linkstostats>>   

The combined value of these payments was £30.2 million - £23 million in Winter Heating Payment and £7.2 million in Child Winter Heating Payment.  

More than 99% of Winter Heating Payments included in the statistics had been issued by the end of February.  

The statistics show that 98% of Child Winter Heating Payments were made in November 2023, within weeks of qualification being assessed.  

To be eligible for Winter Heating Payment, people must be in receipt of Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Related Employment Support Allowance or Support for Mortgage Interest during a qualifying week. Additional criteria apply. Further information on this can be found on mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment   

It is available to anyone who meets the relevant criteria each year during the qualifying week. Next winter, this will be from 4 to 10 November. Most eligible people will receive this payment automatically.   

Both payments were increased in line with inflation at the beginning of the new financial year. Next winter, Winter Heating Payment will be £58.75 and Child Winter Heating Payment £251.50.