£30 million paid this year to help households with higher energy bills

The payments came via The Winter Heating Payment which supports households on low incomes, older residents, disabled people, and families with children under five; and The Child Winter Heating Payment which helps families of disabled children and young people.

The latest figures show that more than 400,000 Winter Heating Payments of £55.05 were issued between November 2023 and the end of March this year, with more than 30,000 Child Winter Heating Payments of £235.70 being made in the same period.   

Winter Heating Payment replaced the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment in 2023. Unlike Cold Weather Payment, which is only issued once the temperature drops to a specific level, people receive Winter Heating Payment whatever the weather - meaning that those getting it receive more money on average than via Cold Weather Payment.

The Child Winter Payment was introduced in 2020, and is not available anywhere else in the UK. It imposes no limit on the number of children who can get it in the same family.  

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said:    “The £30.2 million paid over the course of winter provides support to those who need it most. It is being paid quickly and effectively to help mitigate the worst of the cost of living crisis. 

“Winter Heating Payment guarantees those who qualify will get a payment every year – in contrast to the UK Government approach which needs the weather to be under a certain temperature for a sustained spell.   

“Both Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment have recently been increased in line with inflation which means we will be getting more money into people’s pockets in 2024/25. I am pleased that we are getting the vast majority of these payments to people in good time.  

“I urge anyone who is struggling during the cost-of-living crisis to visit the Scottish Government’s Cost of Living website for support and advice.”