The Winter Heating Payment is to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter period. Social Security Scotland pays this to people living in Scotland.

It replaces the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements.

Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.

It's a yearly payment of £58.75 that is paid automatically.

If you receive the following benefits, you may be entitled to a Winter Heating Payment:

• Pension Credit
• Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Universal Credit
• Support for Mortgage Interest

How much will I get?↑

You'll get £58.75 if you were in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits above, for one day, during the qualifying week (04 November - 10 November 2024).

How to claim↑

You do not need to apply.

If you're eligible to get Winter Heating Payment, you'll be paid it automatically.

You'll automatically get the single payment between December and February. This does not depend on how cold it is.

You'll get a letter or an email from Social Security Scotland telling you it's coming. It appears as 'WHP' on your bank statement, WHP stands for Winter Heating Payment.

It is usually paid into the same bank or building society account as your benefit payments.

Winter Heating Payments do not affect other benefits you may be getting.