Winter heating payments
Winter heating payments are paid annually by Social Security Scotland (SSS) to Scottish residents with a low income. They have replaced cold weather payments in Scotland. In winter 2024/25, the winter heating payment is £58.75.1Reg 9(1) WHA(LI)(S) Regs You qualify if on at least one day during the ‘qualifying week’ (which starts on the first Monday in November) you get a qualifying means-tested benefit and you are resident in Scotland.2s30 and Sch 4 SS(S)A 2018; regs 2 and 4 WHA(LI)(S) Regs The qualifying benefits are:3Reg 4 WHA(LI)(S) Regs •UC, but only if:
◦your award includes a disabled child addition; or
◦you are responsible for a child under five and you are not in employment or gainful self-employment; or
◦you have been assessed as having, or are treated as having, limited capability for work or work-related activity, and you are not in employment or gainful self-employment; or
•PC (guarantee or savings credit); or
•IS, income-based JSA, or income-related ESA, but only if:
◦you are responsible for a child under five; or
◦you are also getting CTC which includes a disabled child element; or
◦your applicable amount includes a disability, severe disability, enhanced disability, disabled child, pensioner or higher pensioner premium; or
◦you get income-related ESA and have been assessed as having, or are treated as having, limited capability for work or limited capability for work and work-related activity.
Payments are made in February or March, usually to the same account into which your qualifying benefit benefit is paid. Payment is not affected by any other income or savings you have. Normally, you do not have to apply: payment should be made automatically. If you think you are eligible but have not received a payment, contact SSS.
If you are not happy with a decision about winter heating payments, you can ask within 42 days for the decision to be looked at again. This is called a ‘redetermination’. You can make the request later than this, if you have good reason. SSS should carry out a redetermination within 16 working days. Following redetermination, you have a right of appeal.