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Winter fuel and cold weather payments

Winter fuel and cold weather payments

There are three main benefits which are designed specifically to help people pay electricity and gas bills:

Warm Home Discount
 

​Winter Fuel Payment

This is a tax-free payment of between £100 and £300 to help pay heating bills. It does not affect any other benefits received and it does not count as taxable income.

There is no means-test. This is a universal benefit for all who qualify on age grounds. For winter 2023/24, all people born on or before 25 September 1957 qualify.  

Due to our ageing population and the increases in State pension age, the Winter Fuel Payment now kicks in at an older age than previously.

A letter is sent in October or November letting you know how much you will get and most eligible people are paid in November or December.

Most payments are made automatically. However, if you do not receive any social security benefits nor the State Retirement Pension, or receives only Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, you must make an application when first reaching the qualifying age.

For further information, please visit the winter fuel payment page or phone 03459 15 15 15.

Winter Heating Payments

Winter heating payment is to help people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. Social Security Scotland pays this to people living in Scotland. It is a yearly payment of £50 that is paid automatically.

It replaces the cold weather payment from the DWP and has the same eligibility requirements.

Unlike the cold weather payment, winter heating payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.