Across Scotland, people will be looking out their windows at the snow and ice headed their way, and cranking the heating up in their homes.
While a lot of good advice on how to save money while keeping your home warm has come out, people will still be struggling to make ends meet this winter. That's where the Winter Heating Payment in Scotland comes in for those who require it.
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.
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This payment has replaced the Cold Weather Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and has the same eligibility requirements. However, unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.
Read on below to find out more about the Winter Heating Payment in Scotland, and how to find out if you are eligible or not.
What is the Winter Heating Payment?
The benefit is a yearly payment of £50 that’s paid automatically. The Winter Heating Payment will not affect:
- the payment of any other benefits you’re currently getting, including Universal Credit
- Winter Fuel Payment
When is the payment due?
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. The code will include 'WHP'. This stands for Winter Heating Payment.
Who is eligible for the Winter Heating Payment?
Your eligibility for Winter Heating Payment is assessed by Social Security Scotland. They look at:
- what benefits you’re receiving
- your circumstances from November 7 to November 13, 2022 – this is the 'qualifying week'
To get Winter Heating Payment you must get one of the following benefits during the ‘qualifying week’:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Universal Credit without employment
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you’re not employed or self-employed and also have one of the following:
- a limited capability for work element
- a limited capability for work element with a work related activity element
- a child or young person disability element
- a child under five
Universal Credit and employed
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you’re employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element.
Income based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you get Income based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support and have any of the following:
- a disability premium
- a severe disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- the disability element of Child Tax Credit
- a child under five
Or receive child disability premium within:
- Income Support
- Income Based Job Seeker's Allowance
Income related Employment Support Allowance
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you receive Income Related Employment Support Allowance and have any of the following:
- placed in a support group or a work related activity group
- a severe or enhanced disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- the disability element of Child Tax Credit
- a child under five
Support for Mortgage Interest
You’ll usually get Winter Heating Payment if you receive Support for Mortgage Interest and have any of the following:
- a disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- a child disability premium
- a child under five
What do I do if I do not receive a Winter Heating Payment?
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.
Tell Social Security Scotland if you think you’re eligible for Winter Heating Payment but have not received a payment.
You can call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
There is help available if you need support contacting Social Security Scotland, or are calling from abroad.
If you're a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video call.
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