The £55.05 payment will be made automatically to help people with higher energy costs during the colder months.
Payments will begin next month, with the majority of eligible Scots expected to receive their payment by the end of January 2024.
What is the Winter Heating Payment?
The Winter Heating Payment is a devolved benefit only available to people living in Scotland. It replaced the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last winter.
Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, the Scottish benefit doesn’t depend on how cold the temperature gets or how long temperatures drop for. Instead, the payment guarantees that everyone identified as requiring additional support will receive a payment every year, no matter the weather.
When will the Winter Heating Payment be made?
Payments for winter 2023 to 2024 will begin from the middle of December.
According to Social Security Scotland, more than £22 million will be paid “in batches throughout the winter months” to low income households across the country.
The majority of Scots eligible should expect their payment by the end of January 2024. However, they will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.
Payments will appear on bank statements as WHP – Winter Heating Payment.
Who is eligible for the Winter Heating Payment?
The Winter Heating Payment is for people in Scotland who receive qualifying benefits and receive that benefit on at least one day in the first full week of November. This week is also known as the ‘qualifying week’.
This year’s qualifying week is from November 6 until November 12.
What benefits qualify for the Winter Heating Payment?
Scots receiving the following benefits will be eligible for the payment as long as they receive it during the qualifying week:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseekers Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Are there any other requirements to be aware of?
Universal Credit (not in employment or self-employed)
You will typically receive Winter Heating Payment if you’re not employed or self-employed and also have one of the following:
- A limited capability for work element
- A limited capability for work element with a work related activity element
- A child or young person disability element
- A child under five
Universal Credit (in employment)
You should receive the £55.05 payment if you’re employed or self-employed and have:
- A child or young person disability element
- The disability element of Child Tax Credit
Pension Credit
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you receive Pension Credit.
Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support
You’ll receive the payment if you receive Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or Income Support and have:
- A disability premium
- A severe disability premium
- A pensioner premium
- The disability element of Child Tax Credit
- A child under five
Or receive child disability premium within:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seeker’s Allowance
Income Related Employment Support Allowance
Again, you’ll typically receive the payment if you receive this benefit and have any of the following:
- A placement in a support group or a work related activity group
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- the disability element of Child Tax Credit
- a child under 5
Support for Mortgage Interest
Finally, you’ll usually get the payment if you receive Support for Mortgage Interest and have any of the following:
- a disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child disability premium
- the disability element of Child Tax Credit
- a child under five
How to check if you’re eligible for Winter Heating Payment
Checking if you’re eligible for the Winter Heating Payment is easy using a handy online tool.
The checker will ask questions about where you live, who you live with, what benefits you receive and when you received your benefits to help determine your eligibility.
It’ll also ask about your circumstances from November 6 until November 12 to check if you’re eligible.
Find the checker here. Please be aware, the checker will only assess your eligibility for the 2023 – 2024 winter.
