Scotland benefits from the strongest package
of winter heating support
Over 837,000 payments have been made to people
across the country to help with heating costs
this winter – thanks to a unique package
of support that provides more for people in
Scotland than anywhere else in the UK.
More than 268,500 payments for Child Winter
Heating Payment and Winter Heating Payment –
support only available in Scotland – have been
paid and are likely to have already landed
in people's bank accounts.
Child Winter Heating Payment supports families caring
for children with the highest disability support
needs and the vast majority of payments have
already been made.
Winter Heating Payment is a guaranteed,
annual payment for people receiving certain
benefits. This is irrespective of how
cold the temperature gets outside,
unlike the Department
for Work and Pensions (DWP) Cold Weather
Payment which is only paid if the average temperature
reaches, or is forecast to reach, freezing or below for a full
week.
Over 568,000 Pension Age Winter Heating Payments have
been paid to people aged 66 and over. This
has replaced the DWP Winter Fuel Payment in
Scotland and is at a higher rate than elsewhere in
the UK. Payments will continue to be made throughout the
winter.
All Social Security Scotland winter payments are
automatic with no need to apply.
Social Justice Secretary, Shirley-Anne Somerville
said: “Costs are rising and there will be many people
struggling with household bills this winter.
“That's why the Scottish Government is taking
action and will deliver the strongest package of winter
support than anywhere else in the UK.
“We're providing winter help, no matter the weather and I'm
pleased that over three quarters of a million payments have
already been made to do just that.”
Joe Cluxton, energy coordinator at FEL,
a service that provides free home
energy advice to residents in the Forth
Valley added: "We welcome the range of winter heating
support delivered by Social Security Scotland as a means to
address fuel poverty and the rising cost of heating our
homes.
“The cost of living crisis may drive some to keep the
heating off or too low in homes with vulnerable residents, and
this is a valuable move to keep people safe through the coldest
seasons.”
Background
Payment figures are based on management information sourced
from Social Security Scotland's case management system and
include payments issued up to 14 December
2025. Child Winter Heating
Payment, Winter Heating Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating
Payment management information release to 14 December 2025 -
Social Security Scotland
Payments for Child Winter Heating Payment began in
October 2025 and payments for Winter Heating Payment
and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in November 2025.
Winter Heating Payment
It is estimated that 475,000 people will receive Winter Heating
Payment this winter.
Most people will receive their automatic payment by the
end of December 2025. Payments will continue to be made
until the end of February 2026. The payment for
winter 2025/26 is £59.75
Find out more on Winter Heating Payment at Winter Heating Payment
- mygov.scot
Child Winter Heating Payment
Families of almost 45,000 disabled children and young people are
estimated to be supported with Child Winter Heating
Payment in 2025/26. It is paid automatically to the
families of children and young people under 19 who receive the
highest levels of disability support. The payment for winter
2025/26 is £255.80
For further information visit Child Winter Heating Payment
- mygov.scot
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
We expect over 880,000 pensioners will benefit from
support though Pension Age Winter Heating
Payment. The Scottish Fiscal Commission have forecast
that around 1.055 million payments will be made in winter
2025-26, with the number of payments recovered estimated to be
169,000. Fiscal Update: August
2025
Payments began in November and will continue to be paid
throughout the winter. The majority of payments will be
made by end of December 2025.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payments for 2025/26 are between
£101.70 and £305.10 depending on circumstances.
For pensioners with a taxable income of over £35,000, His
Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will take it back during
2026/27.
For more information on Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
visit Pension Age Winter Heating
Payment - mygov.scot
For more information on FEL
Scotland visit FEL Scotland
