Tag: Cold Weather Payment

£37.3 million winter heating help paid to people in Scotland

Over half a million people get payments for winter 2024/2025

Last winter over half a million children and families across Scotland enjoyed warmer homes after receiving a total of £37.3million towards their heating bills from Social Security Scotland.

Winter Heating Payment is paid automatically to people who get certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people or older people. It has replaced the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) 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. 

Child Winter Heating Payment was introduced by the Scottish Government in November 2020 and is only available in Scotland.

It is paid once a year to children and young people if they are under 19 years old and get certain benefits.

The figures, taken from statistics released today (Tuesday 29 April), also show that 95% of Winter Heating Payments were made by December 2024 and 93% of Child Winter Heating Payments were made by October 2024.

A total of 465,510 Winter Heating Payments, worth £27.3 million, were made for 2024/2025, along with 39,590 Child Winter Heating Payments, worth £10 million.

 Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We have issued over 505,100 payments to families on low incomes, and those supporting children or young people with a disability, to help with the cost of heating their homes.

“Many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills. The importance of these payments was brought home to everyone this month with the Energy Price Cap rising by 6.4%. Ofgem estimates that this will add £9.25 a month to the typical household’s energy bill.  

“This year we will also be providing extra support to pensioners. While the DWP’s Winter Fuel Payment will only be available to some pensioners, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will provide money to every pensioner household in the country. The Scottish Government will continue to protect pensioners and people on low incomes in Scotland.”

DWP – Cold Weather Payment

Get a cold weather cash boost

  • As the clocks go back this Sunday check if you are eligible for the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments Scheme.
  • £27 million in total paid out in 2018-19.
  • £25 cash available for every week of cold weather between 1st November and 31st March.

As the nights get longer, the clocks go back and the temperatures drop you could be entitled to cash from the UK Government to help with your energy bills and keep your home warm.

Cold Weather Payments total £25 for each seven days of actual or forecast temperatures below freezing in your area between 1st November and 31st March.

If you receive Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit or Support for Mortgage Interest then you may be eligible.

You can check here: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/eligibility

Baroness Stedman-Scott said: “Winter can be a difficult time for people, and our Cold Weather Payment will help you keep your home warm as temperatures drop.

“Payments are made automatically but if you think you might be eligible, you can check online to see if your area is due a payment and plan accordingly.”

Cold Weather Payments do not affect your other benefits.

You can use the online checker here to see if your area is due a payment:  https://coldweatherpayments.dwp.gov.uk/.

If you are eligible but have not received your payment, then tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus office.

If you’re getting Universal Credit, sign in to your account and add a note to your journal.

More information can be found here: 

https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment/how-to-claim

UK Government Scotland Minister, Iain Stewart said: “Looking after our fellow citizens and protecting the vulnerable in our communities is more important than ever as we overcome the coronavirus pandemic.

“The UK Government is committed to helping those in need stay warm during a cold Scottish winter. We know the difference Cold Weather Payments make and I encourage people to check online to see if they’d be eligible to receive this additional UK Government support.”