Nearly half a million households across Scotland are expected to receive the £59.75 Winter Heating Payment during winter 2025/26. Payments will be made automatically between December and February to eligible individuals identified through existing benefit records. The scheme, first introduced in 2022, provides seasonal support to help mitigate energy-related costs during the colder months.
According to figures reported by the Daily Record, 465,510 payments were issued last winter, representing over £27 million in support. The Winter Heating Payment replaces the former Cold Weather Payment previously administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and operates under different eligibility rules.
Fixed Annual Benefit Replaces £25 Cold Weather Payment
The Winter Heating Payment was designed as a more reliable alternative to the Cold Weather Payment, which previously provided £25 only when the temperature stayed below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days. The new system offers a guaranteed payment regardless of weather conditions.
According to official guidance on MYGOV.SCOT, eligible individuals will “automatically get the single payment between December and February”. The payment appears on bank statements as ‘WHP’, and no application is required.
Nearly Half a Million Payments Last Winter
Last winter, the Scottish Government issued 465,510 payments, totaling £27.3 million in support. All payments are handled by Social Security Scotland, the devolved agency responsible for delivering benefits in Scotland.
Qualifying Week and Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the 2025/26 Winter Heating Payment, individuals must be in receipt of one or more qualifying benefits during the qualifying week, which is expected to fall between November 3 and 9, 2025. Eligibility is determined automatically by Social Security Scotland, using information already held in the benefits system—no application is required.
Those receiving Universal Credit may qualify if they are employed or self-employed and receive a child or young person disability element. People who are not working may also be eligible if they have a limited capability for work element, a limited capability for work with a work-related activity element, a child or young person disability element, or if they are responsible for a child under the age of 5.
Recipients of Pension Credit qualify with no further requirements.
Individuals on Income Support or Income-Based Jobseeker’s Allowance are eligible if they have a child under 5, or if they receive a disability premium, severe disability premium, pensioner premium, or the child disability premium.
Those receiving Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance may also qualify if they have a child under 5, are part of a support group or work-related activity group, or if they receive a severe or enhanced disability premium or a pensioner premium.
Finally, recipients of Support for Mortgage Interest may qualify if they are responsible for a child under 5, or if they receive a disability premium, pensioner premium, or child disability premium.
Energy Costs to Rise in October
Households are also being warned of a 2% increase in energy bills starting October 1, 2025, due to changes in the UK’s energy price cap. Although the rise may seem modest, increased consumption in winter is likely to raise bills significantly.
The Winter Heating Payment is part of a broader support package for vulnerable households during the heating season, including additional payments for pensioners, disabled individuals, and low-income families.
Additional Winter Payments for Pensioners
In parallel, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be issued automatically to eligible older adults living in Scotland. It replaces the Winter Fuel Payment previously handled by the DWP and is based on age, living arrangements, and residency during the qualifying week of September 15 to 21, 2025.
To qualify, individuals must have been born before September 22, 1959 and have an annual income of £35,000 or less. Payments are as follows:
- £101.70 for those over 66 living in residential care
- £203.40 for individuals aged 66–79
- £305.10 for individuals aged 80 or older
No claim needs to be submitted, and Pension Credit is not a requirement.
Support for Disabled Children
Families of children or young people (up to 19 years old) receiving the highest rate care component of a disability benefit are also eligible for the Child Winter Heating Payment, worth £255.80 for 2025/26.
This support is available to those on:
- Disability Living Allowance for Children
- Child Disability Payment
- Adult Disability Payment, which has replaced Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for all new and existing claims in Scotland
Multiple Benefits Offer Layered Protection
The combination of Winter Heating Payment, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, and Child Winter Heating Payment creates a tiered winter support system for households facing rising energy costs. Together, these schemes aim to reduce the financial burden on vulnerable groups without requiring any action from claimants.
For further details, residents can visit MYGOV.SCOT, which offers up-to-date eligibility criteria and guidance on all winter energy assistance programs available in Scotland.
