The Scottish Government has confirmed that the first payments of a new £50 heating payment will start landing in bank accounts this week. More than £20 million will be paid out over the course of February and March to around 400,000 households across Scotland in Winter Heating Payments.
The new Winter Heating Payment will provide a one-off lump sum of £50 every year automatically to eligible households, with no need to apply. It replaces the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) which is only paid to people when there is a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location.
Social Security Scotland will deliver the benefit and those eligible for Winter Heating Payment will get a letter to let them know they qualify for the energy help which will appear on bank statements as ‘WHP’.
