The Scottish Government is set to introduce a new heating benefit this month that is expected to give an estimated 400,000 households on a low income a guaranteed £50 payment towards their winter energy bills. The new Winter Heating Payment will be administered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Cold Weather Payments of £25 are sent automatically to people on a low income or certain benefits each time temperatures are recorded or forecast at below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days in their local area between November 1 and March 31. The new £50 Winter Heating Payment will be made every year, irrespective of temperature, although no specific payment window has been announced yet.
If you are currently eligible for the Cold Weather Payment from DWP and your circumstances have not changed, you should be eligible for a Winter Heating payment. However, there is a qualifying period for the new payment which many people may not be aware of.
