£5.7m Child Winter Heating Assistance for families

Helping over 26,000 disabled children and young people with winter heating costs

Thousands of families of disabled children and young people received an additional £214.10 to help heat their homes this winter, according to latest official statistics for Child Winter Heating Assistance.

More than 26,000 payments worth £5.7 million were made for winter 2022/2023, £1.7 million more than for the last winter, with the majority paid by the end of October. In total, £13.4 million in Child Winter Heating Assistance payments have been issued since the benefit began in November 2020.

Child Winter Heating Assistance is an annual payment to help families of disabled children and young people with increased heating costs over winter. It is administered by Social Security Scotland and is available to disabled children and young people under 19 years old who receive a qualifying benefit.

The payment is made automatically once a year and will be increased by 10.1% to £235.70 for winter 2023-2024.

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

“The cost of living crisis and higher energy bills mean that families are struggling more than ever.

“Getting this money to families who may need to heat their homes for longer than others over the winter months provides crucial financial support and eases financial pressure at a challenging time of year. Therefore it is welcome news that £5.7 million fit has been paid to eligible families for winter 2022/23.

This Scottish Government benefit is one of seven benefits only available in Scotland and is automatically paid to families of the most severely disabled children and young people .

“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 Notes

Full details of the official statistics are available to view at Child Winter Heating Assistance statistics: Winter 2022/2023.

Child Winter Heating Assistance was first introduced in 2020 and was the first form of disability benefit to be introduced by the Scottish Government.

Children and young people in Scotland can get Child Winter Heating Assistance if they're under 19 years old, are resident in Scotland or have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland and are receiving one of the 'qualifying benefits' during the qualifying week.

The qualifying benefits include the highest rate care component of Child Disability Payment, the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for Children, the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment and the enhanced daily living component of Adult Disability Payment.

If there is more than one child or young person who qualifies in a household, each child will get a payment.

Eligible children and young people living in Scotland get the payment automatically and do not need to apply separately.

Child Winter Heating Assistance has been increased to £235.70 for winter 2023-2024, a 10.1 % increase in line with inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index.