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

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is now means tested. For full information on eligibility, please refer to mygov.scot.

Winter Heating Payments

The 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 £59.75 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.

Child Winter Heating Payment

The child winter heating payment is intended to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter. Social Security Scotland pay this to eligible families.

The payment is made once per year and is £255.80 for 2025/26 winter period.