Winter Heating Payment

The Winter Heating Payment is designed to assist individuals receiving low-income benefits who may require additional heating support. Social Security Scotland administers this benefit to the residents of Scotland.

What is the Winter Heating Payment? 

The Winter Heating Payment serves as assistance for individuals receiving certain benefits who may experience additional heating expenses. It serves as a replacement for the Cold Weather Payment provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and shares identical eligibility criteria. 

Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, the Winter Heating Payment is not dependent on temperature. For 2023-2024, it is a yearly automatic payment of £55.05. This is an increase of 10.1% on the previous year.

Receiving the Winter Heating Payment will not impact the receipt of other current benefits, including Universal Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment. 

Who is Eligible to Apply for Winter Heating Payment? 

To be eligible for the Winter Heating Payment, you must:

• live in Scotland
• get a "qualifying benefit"
• get the qualifying benefit on at least one day between 6 November to 12 November 2023 – known as the "qualifying week." 

The following qualifying benefits are:  

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

How much is the Winter Heating Payment?

The full amount of Winter Heating Payment for the winter 2023-2024 payment is £55.05. 

When will I get my payment? 

Payments for winter 2023-2024 are expected to be made in February 2024. 

How do I apply?

Since you must already be receiving a qualifying benefit to receive the Winter Heating Payment, you should be able to receive it without further action. The payment will be automatically deposited into the same bank account as your qualifying benefit.  

Social Security Scotland will send you a notification letter before making the payment. 

If you believe you are eligible for the Winter Heating Payment but have not received it, please reach out to an adviser who can provide the necessary assistance. 

How will I know if I qualify for the Winter Heating Payment? 

You will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before they make the payment. You can identify the payment by the reference code on your bank statement, which will include "WHP," standing for Winter Heating Payment.