Nearly half a million households were issued a Winter Heating Payment last year, totalling £27.3 million, to help cover the costs of higher energy bills over the winter months
People in Scotland are being urged to check if they qualify for a payment to help cover the costs of higher energy bills over the winter months.
Nearly half a million households were issued a Winter Heating Payment last year, totalling £27.3 million.
The Winter Heating Payment is a one-off payment of £59.75 in December to help with rising energy bills. It replaces the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Unlike the previous payment from the DWP, this one is not dependent on a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location (seven days) but is an annual, one-off payment made no matter the temperature.
Many households will receive it automatically, people on low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people.
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Guidance on MYGOV.SCOT explains that you will “automatically get the single payment between December and February,” the Daily Record reports.
People getting the payment should receive a letter or an email to let you know it is coming and it should appear as ‘WHP’ (Winter Heating Payment) on your bank statement.
People who have qualified for another benefit will automatically get the Winter Heating Payment. The qualifying week for this year’s payment has not been confirmed yet, but is expected to be the first full week in November (like last year). This would be November 3 to 9.
Universal Credit
You will qualify if you’re employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element.
You will also qualify if you are not employed or self-employed and you have either:
- 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 5
Pension Credit
No requirements other than you qualify for Pension Credit.
Income Support or Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You will qualify if you have a child under 5 or you get:
- a disability premium
- a severe disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- the child disability premium
Income Related Employment Support Allowance
You will qualify if:
- you have a child under 5
- or you’re in a support group or a work related activity group
or you get:
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
Support for Mortgage Interest
You will qualify if you have a child under 5 or you get:
- a disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child disability premium
Pensioners in England and Wales will receive between £100 and £300 through Winter Fuel Payments, due to be issued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over November and December.
Social Security Scotland will issue Pension Age Winter Heating Payments using data provided by the DWP. Guidance on MYGOV.SCOT has now been updated with full details on the one-off annual payments.
Payments will be made automatically from November and how much someone receives depends on their age, household living circumstances and residency in the UK during the qualifying week of Monday, September 15 to Sunday, September 21, 2025.