3. Cold weather payments, winter fuel payments and Scottish heating payments
Cold weather payments and winter fuel payments provide extra help for fuel during periods of cold weather. They have different eligibility rules. They are tax-free and do not affect other benefits you get.
In Scotland, you may be able to get winter heating assistance if your family includes a severely disabled child. This is called ‘child winter heating assistance’ (see here). Note: from February 2023, the Scottish government introduced a new benefit called ‘winter heating assistance’, which replaces cold weather payments for Scottish residents and has different eligibility rules. The Scottish government will also replace winter fuel payments from the end of 2024.