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 £55.05 that is paid automatically.
If you receive the following benefits, you may be entitled to a Winter Heating Payment:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- 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 £50 if you were in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits above, for one day, during the qualifying week (07 November - 13 November 2022).
How to claim
You do not need to apply.
If you're eligible to get Winter Heating Payment, you'll be paid it automatically.
Payments for winter 2022 are expected to be made from February 2023. You'll receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before they make the payment.
You can identify the payment by the reference code which will include 'WHP'. This 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 (including the Winter Fuel Payment).