As Christmas and New Year creeps up on the people of Scotland, many households will be trying to cope financially with the cost of living crisis, as well as festive activities.
Even the most dedicated savers will have their finances stretched due to ongoing inflation rates, soaring food costs and rising energy bills. The Daily Record reports that in 2022, the UK Government have already provided millions of people with much-needed support to help offset their rising costs.
Other boosts included the £2,500 Energy Price Guarantee and monthly discounts off energy bills from now until March 2023. However, these aren't the only money supports that are due between new and New Year 2022, and it is important to be aware of these cash boosts.
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Being aware of when these payments are due and what they're for means people know if they can apply, and not miss out on much needed cash this holiday season.
Read on below for a handy guide on which payments are still due from now until the end of 2022.
December - January: Warm Home Discount Scheme - £150
The Warm Home Discount Scheme officially opened in the UK last month. The money is a one-off discount paid to your energy supplier to get money off electricity bills between October 2022 and March 2023.
The eligibility criteria have changed in 2022, and even if you automatically qualified last year, you may need to make a claim again.
If you live in Scotland, you qualify if you either:
- get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit - known as the ‘core group’
- are on a low income and meet your energy supplier’s criteria for the scheme - known as the ‘broader group’
Full details on eligibility are available on GOV.UK website.
Cost of living payment - £324
The second payment window of the cost of living payment closed on November 30, 2022. If you are still awaiting your payment, the Government have urged people not to worry as these payments are still being made.
You can report a missing payment online at GOV.UK here.
Pensioners have a week left to claim Pension Credit, which would entitle them to the £324 cost of living payment. Pension Credit is a retrospective benefit, worth around £3,500 on average each year.
This means the benefit can be backdated by three months and the last date for those who can successfully backdate their claim is December 18.
Even if you are only awarded a small amount, you can still qualify for the second cost of living payment, worth £324.
Pensioner cost of living payment - £300
This one-off payment will be delivered before January 13, 2023, but no specific payment windows have been given.
This cost of living payment is not taxable and will not affect eligibility for other benefits. The full amount will depend on household circumstances, which can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Child Winter Heating Assistance - £214
This benefit is an annual payment of £214 for children in Scotland who are on disability benefits, to help with increased costs over the colder months.
This is paid once a year, and the Scottish Government has confirmed that this year's payment will be £214.10 per eligible child or young person. Children and young people in Scotland can get the heating assistance payment if they are under 19 years old and in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits between September 19 and September 25.
Payments should have arrived by now, and if you haven't received yours find out more on the Scottish Government website.
Qualifying benefits:
- Child Disability Payment - highest rate of the care component
- Disability Living Allowance for children - highest rate of the care component
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - enhanced daily living component
- Adult Disability Payment - enhanced rate of the daily living component
DWP Christmas bonus - £10
This DWP bonus payment is a one-off, tax-free payment worth £10. It is paid automatically to those in receipt of State Pension or various DWP benefits.
It is paid if the person has met the eligibility during a specific qualifying period, which is typically the first full week of December.
Qualifying benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
Carer's Allowance Supplement - £245
This benefit is a one-off payment for unpaid carers in Scotland who were in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on October 10, 2022 - the December qualifying date.
The payment, worth £245.70, has been delivered to bank accounts on December 9, 2022. You can contact the Scottish Government about a missing payment
Bridging Payments for Scottish families - £260
All 32 local councils in Scotland are delivering payments of £260 on behalf of the Scottish Government, ahead of the end of school term. This payment is aimed towards children in receipt of free school meals.
Most payments are planned to be paid by December 23, but some councils have sent emails to parents and updated their website with a payment date of December 14.
February 2023: Winter Heating Payment - £50
£25 Cold Weather Payments are set to be replaced by a new devolved benefit this winter for people living in Scotland.
The Scottish Government will introduce the new Winter Heating Payment from February 2023 which will give around 400,000 households on a low income a guaranteed £50 payment towards their energy bills.
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