Winter Heating Payment on its way

Money to help with heating costs is on its way to around 457,000 Scots on low incomes.

Winter Heating Payment is an automatic annual payment. This year it is worth £58.75. It replaces the DWP’s Cold Weather Payment in Scotland. It is a guaranteed payment that everyone who is eligible receives, no matter what the weather. Cold Weather Payment is only paid if the average temperature falls - or is forecast to fall - to freezing or below for a full week.

Winter Heating Payment is paid to people on certain benefits who may need extra heating in their homes during the winter, including households with young children, disabled people or older people.

People will get a letter from Social Security Scotland to let them know if they’re eligible for Winter Heating Payment. There is no need to apply as payments are made automatically. It is paid in batches with the first payments going out this week. Most people will receive their payment by the end of February 2025.

Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who were getting any of these benefits during the qualifying week (4 - 10 November 2024):

• Universal Credit
• Pension Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
• Support for Mortgage Interest

Some restrictions apply for some of these benefits. For example, for those qualifying through Income Support may also have to have a child under 5, a disability premium or a pensioner premium.

People who haven’t received a Winter Heating Payment by the end of February 2025, but think that they may be eligible, should fill out a Winter Heating Payment request form or call us free on 0800 182 2222.