THOUSANDS of Scots households will soon recieve a cash boost with the new Winter Heating Payment.
The Scottish winter is living up to its reputation, with a deep freeze battering the country and Storm Bert posing a ‘danger to life‘ this weekend.
Thousands of Scots are set to receive the Winter Heating Payment[/caption]
With winter in full swing, Scots are feeling the crunch trying to heat their homes[/caption]
With the harsh weather wreaking havoc and rising energy bills, Scots households are feeling the crunch trying to heat their homes.
Thousands are set to receive the Winter Heating Payment to help ease the financial strain.
It comes after Winter Fuel Payments were axed for almost one million Scots after SNP chiefs announced the universal payment will now be means-tested.
And almost 40,000 Scots missed out on the Winter Heating Payment last year after a major blunder by the DWP.
The grant, which is a devolved version of the Cold Weather Payment, is given to eligible households to help pay for heating costs over the coldest months.
However, unlike the Cold Weather Payment, the grant does not depend on whether the mercury drops below a certain temperature.
And with tomorrow possibly being the coldest day of 2024, there will be tonnes of folk who can benefit from it.
The yearly payment is a single, tax-free payment of £58.75 which is issued to eligible Scots who already receive certain benefits.
Am I eligble for the Winter Heating Payment?
TO qualify for the Winter Heating Payment, you must be get one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credit
- Income Support or Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Related Employment Support Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Social Security Scotland uses your data to decide if you get Winter Heating Payment and a letter or email will be sent to you to confirm it’s coming.
The allowance is paid automatically, and it does not affect any other benefits you receive.
Winter Heating Payments will automatically be paid out between December and next February.
It will appear as ‘WHP’ on your bank statement.
What to do if you think yours is missing
IF your data does not automatically result in a payment, a Social Security Scotland will:
- look at your data again
- consider whether you are eligible or not
- pay you if you are eligible or
- write to you to explain their decision
If you’re worried that you have missed a Winter Heating Payment that you should have got, send Social Security Scotland a request.
Contact Social Security Scotland if you believe you are eligible for Winter Heating Payment but have not received any payment or notification.
Call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222.
Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Families will also be eligible to receive helping cash this winter.
Qualifying households should also receive the Child Winter Heating Payment.
The cash is given to parents of disabled children and young people under the age of 19.
A lump sum of £251.50 is paid out to help families keep up with energy bills.
It is automatically given to eligible families with disabled children who are already receiving certain disability benefits, including the highest rate of Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance for Children.
They are also eligible if they receive the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment (ADP).
