More than half a million households, children, and families across Scotland are set to receive financial assistance again in the colder months ahead, following the distribution of £37.3 million in seasonal support last year to help with heating costs. Figures from Social Security Scotland confirm that the Winter Heating Payment, Child Winter Heating Payment, and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be paid automatically to eligible recipients from November 2025.
According to the Daily Record, the support aims to reach those on low incomes, pensioners, and disabled people, ensuring that payments are issued without the need for a separate application process.
Winter Heating Payment
The Winter Heating Payment (WHP), worth £59.75 annually, was introduced in 2023 to replace the Cold Weather Payment previously administered by the UK Government. Unlike the older scheme, the WHP is a guaranteed payment — every eligible household receives it regardless of temperature conditions.
In 2024/25, 465,510 WHP payments were made, totalling £27.3 million, with 95% of awards paid by December 2024. The WHP is targeted at those on certain low-income benefits, including households with young children, disabled people, or older residents.
Child Winter Heating Payment
The Child Winter Heating Payment (CWHP), valued at £255.80 annually, was introduced in November 2020 and is only available in Scotland. It supports families with children or young people under 19 who receive the highest rate care component of disability benefits, such as Disability Living Allowance for Children, Child or Adult Disability Payment, and Personal Independence Payment.
In 2024/25, 39,590 CWHP awards were made, worth £10 million, with 93% of payments completed by October 2024.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP), replacing the Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners with a Scottish postcode, will again be paid between £101.70 and £305.10 depending on age and living arrangements. Payments use data provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Eligibility requires being born before 22 September 1959 and having an annual income of £35,000 or less. The qualifying week is Monday 15 to Sunday 21 September 2025. Payment rates are:
- £101.70 for people aged over 66 in residential care
- £203.40 for those aged 66–79
- £305.10 for those aged 80 and over
Officials confirm that no application is necessary, and recipients do not need to be on Pension Credit to qualify.
Other Devolved Benefits for 2025/26
Scotland offers a broad range of additional supports, including:
- Scottish Child Payment: £27.15 per week, per child (£108.60 every four weeks)
- Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment: £767.50 for a first child; £383.75 for subsequent children
- Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment: £319.80 per child
- Best Start Grant School Age Payment: £319.80 per child
- Best Start Foods: £10.80 (higher rate) or £5.40 (lower rate) per week
- Funeral Support Payment: Standard rate £1,279.15; lower rate £156.10; medical device removal rate £25.80
- Job Start Payment: £511.65 (higher rate) or £319.80 (standard rate)
- Child Disability Payment: Weekly rates – £29.20 (lower care), £73.90 (standard), £110.40 (enhanced); mobility £29.20 (standard), £77.05 (enhanced)
- Adult Disability Payment: Weekly rates – £73.90 (standard daily living), £110.40 (enhanced daily living); mobility £29.20 (standard), £77.05 (enhanced)
- Pension Age Disability Payment: Weekly £73.90 or £110.40 (paid every four weeks as £295.60 or £441.60)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance: Same weekly rates as Child Disability Payment for existing claimants
- Young Carer Grant: £390.25 annually
- Carer’s Allowance Supplement: £293.50 paid twice yearly
- Carer Support Payment: £83.30 weekly (£333.20 every four weeks)
Shifting Away From UK Government Schemes
By replacing former DWP benefits, the Scottish Government aims to offer more predictable support. The Winter Heating Payment’s fixed-amount model avoids the uncertainty of temperature-based triggers, a change designed to ensure that no eligible household misses out during milder winters.
With the first payments scheduled for November 2025, eligible households will not need to make a claim. Updated guidance, eligibility rules, and payment schedules are available on MYGOV.SCOT for residents to check before the heating season begins.
