More than 456,000 people across Scotland are set to receive vital Winter Heating Payments totalling £26.8 million this winter, the Scottish Government has confirmed.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville updated MSPs today, outlining the government’s commitment to supporting low-income households with the rising cost of energy.
Ms Somerville revealed that the Scottish Government is investing over £65 million this year in three Winter Heating Benefits, offering crucial assistance to more than 630,000 people to help manage their energy bills.
The Winter Heating Payment is a key part of this effort, providing an annual, guaranteed payment of £58.75 to those eligible, regardless of weather conditions.
This approach contrasts with the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment, which only provided £25 per cold spell when temperatures averaged zero degrees or below for seven consecutive days – leaving many households without support during milder winters.
Ms Somerville highlighted the benefits of Scotland’s system, which eliminates the need for a “cold spell” requirement, ensuring payments are made automatically without the uncertainty of waiting for weather-related triggers.
Last winter, over 453,000 people received Winter Heating Payments thanks to a £25 million investment, and this year’s £26.8 million allocation will offer even broader support.
The Scottish Government’s Child Winter Heating Payment is another standout initiative, specifically aimed at helping disabled children, young people, and their families who face higher energy needs due to disabilities or health conditions.
So far this year, 37,000 payments have been issued, totalling £9.3 million, to support over 33,000 families. This is a benefit not available elsewhere in the UK.
Older Scots are also receiving vital assistance through the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, which provides £200 or £300 depending on age and benefits received.
Next year, new regulations will ensure every pensioner household gets at least £100, offering consistent support unavailable anywhere else in the UK.
Ms Somerville said the new system directly responds to feedback from Scots, who expressed overwhelming support for removing the dependency on cold weather conditions.
“Our Winter Heating Payment breaks the link with arbitrarily-defined weather dependency and provides financial support, no matter the weather,” she stated.
“This means low-income households will automatically be paid and do not face the uncertainty of waiting for weather readings for seven consecutive days before receiving a payment.”
She pointed out that this year’s Winter Heating Payment investment of £26.8 million is more than triple the average £8.5 million spent annually by the Department for Work and Pensions in Scotland prior to the benefit’s introduction.
“Our Winter Heating Payment is a very clear example of how this Scottish Government is doing more to support the people of Scotland throughout the long, cold winter months,” Ms Somerville added.
These measures highlight Scotland’s growing commitment to protecting its most vulnerable citizens from the harsh realities of rising living costs and cold winter temperatures.
