Quick Summary
- Winter Heating Payment is £62.00/year — paid automatically to Scottish residents on qualifying benefits, with no claim needed
- It replaced Cold Weather Payment in Scotland — meaning it's paid every year regardless of whether temperatures drop, unlike the old system
- It is not the Winter Fuel Payment — Scotland's pension-age equivalent is the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (£105.55–£316.70 for winter 2026/27), while WHP is benefit-based at any age
- Child Winter Heating Payment adds £265.50/year — for disabled children on the highest rate of qualifying benefits
Scotland's Winter Heating Payment is simpler and more predictable than what it replaced. Under the old Cold Weather Payment system, payments only triggered when local temperatures dropped below zero for 7 consecutive days — some years you'd get multiple payments, others none. The WHP pays a fixed annual amount to everyone on qualifying benefits, guaranteed.
Quick Answer: Scotland's Winter Heating Payment (WHP) pays £62.00 to people on qualifying benefits automatically each winter — no claim needed. It replaced the old Cold Weather Payment for Scottish residents. There's a separate Child Winter Heating Payment of £265.50/year for disabled children on the highest rate of a qualifying disability benefit. Pensioners in Scotland get the separate Pension Age Winter Heating Payment instead of the UK Winter Fuel Payment. Use our Scottish Benefits Checker to see if you qualify.
What is the Winter Heating Payment?
The Winter Heating Payment (WHP) is a Scotland-only benefit paid by Social Security Scotland. It was introduced from November 2022 as part of the Scottish Government's programme of replacing UK welfare benefits with Scottish equivalents.
It replaced two UK-wide payments for Scottish residents:
- Cold Weather Payment — triggered by a 7-day cold snap (below 0°C average) in your postcode
- It does not replace the Winter Fuel Payment — in Scotland that job belongs to the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, paid to everyone born on or before 27 June 1960
The WHP is automatic: if you're on a qualifying benefit, Social Security Scotland identifies you from DWP/HMRC records and pays without any application.
How much is the Winter Heating Payment?
| Payment | Amount | Who receives it |
|---|---|---|
| Winter Heating Payment | £62.00 | Adults on qualifying benefits |
| Child Winter Heating Payment | £265.50 | Children with highest-rate disability benefit |
Both are paid once per year: Child Winter Heating Payment from October, and the adult Winter Heating Payment from December 2026 and through the winter.
The Child Winter Heating Payment
The Child Winter Heating Payment (CWHP) is a separate payment for children and young people (under 19) who are receiving the highest rate of a qualifying disability benefit:
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA) — highest rate care component
- Child Disability Payment (CDP) — highest rate daily living component
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — enhanced daily living component (for those who received it as children before age 16)
Amount: £265.50 per year — significantly more than the adult WHP.
How it's paid: Automatically to the person who receives the child's qualifying benefit on their behalf (usually the parent or carer).
Try it yourself
Check which Scottish benefits you qualify for, including Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment.
Open Scottish Benefits CheckerNo sign-up required.
Who qualifies for Winter Heating Payment?
You receive WHP automatically if you're on a qualifying benefit during the qualifying week. For winter 2026/27 that week is Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November 2026.
Qualifying benefits for Winter Heating Payment
| Qualifying benefit | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pension Credit | No further conditions — qualifying for Pension Credit is enough |
| Income Support | With a child under 5, a disability premium, or in a qualifying group |
| Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based) | Same conditions as Income Support |
| Employment and Support Allowance (income-related) | Same conditions as Income Support |
| Support for Mortgage Interest | Same conditions as Income Support |
| Universal Credit | See UC conditions below |
Universal Credit conditions: Not all UC recipients get WHP. You only qualify on UC if:
- you're employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element, or
- you're not employed or self-employed and your award includes a limited capability for work element, a limited capability for work and work-related activity element, or a disabled child element
A single adult on standard UC without one of those elements does not automatically qualify for WHP. This is different from some other Scottish benefits.
You don't need to apply
If you're eligible, you'll receive a letter from Social Security Scotland confirming payment, and the money will arrive in your bank account. There's no form to fill in.
If you think you should have received WHP but didn't: Contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222. They can check whether you were in the system on the qualifying date.
Scotland vs England: a tale of two systems
Scotland and England handle winter fuel support differently, and the picture changed again in 2025 when the UK Government reversed most of its 2024 means-testing.
Scotland's Winter Heating Payment
- Benefit-based (not age-based)
- Available at any age if on a qualifying benefit
- Fixed £62.00 regardless of circumstances
- Automatic — no claim needed
- Paid once annually regardless of weather
- Replaces Cold Weather Payment
England's Winter Fuel Payment
England's Winter Fuel Payment was restricted to Pension Credit recipients for winter 2024/25 only. From winter 2025/26 it went back to everyone of pension age — for winter 2026/27, anyone born on or before 27 June 1960 who lives in England, Wales or Northern Ireland gets £100–£300 — with HMRC taking the payment back from anyone whose own income is over £35,000.
Scotland is not part of that scheme. If you live in Scotland you cannot get the Winter Fuel Payment; the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces it on the same date-of-birth cut-off, the same 21–27 September 2026 qualifying week and the same £35,000 rule, at £105.55–£316.70 (3.8% higher than the UK bands because it is uprated each April).
| Feature | Scotland (WHP) | England (WFP) |
|---|---|---|
| Based on | Benefit receipt | Date of birth (on or before 27 June 1960) |
| Amount | £62.00 | £100–£300 (£200/£300 if you live alone) |
| Automatic | Yes | Yes |
| Income test | No (beyond benefit eligibility) | Paid, then recovered by HMRC if your own income is over £35,000 |
| Cold weather trigger | No (fixed annual) | No (fixed annual) |
| Scottish equivalent | — | Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, £105.55–£316.70 |
Key difference in value: the pension-age payments (Winter Fuel Payment in England, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment in Scotland) are much larger than the £62.00 WHP. But WHP is more broadly accessible — anyone on a qualifying benefit at any age can receive it, while the pension-age payments are restricted to people born on or before 27 June 1960.
A Scottish pensioner on Pension Credit can get both payments — the £62.00 Winter Heating Payment (because Pension Credit is a qualifying benefit) AND the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (because of their age). They are separate awards from Social Security Scotland and neither reduces the other. What you will not get in Scotland is the UK Winter Fuel Payment itself — the DWP does not pay it here.
Scotland's Cold Weather Payment: does it still exist?
Cold Weather Payments (£25 per qualifying cold snap) were the UK-wide trigger-based system. For Scotland:
- The CWP as a Scottish policy is being replaced by WHP for most recipients
- However, some people in Scotland may still receive CWP from the DWP during the transition period
- Once Social Security Scotland fully transfers the payment, WHP is the replacement for Scottish residents
The advantage of WHP over CWP: CWP was unpredictable — some years you'd receive nothing (no 7-day cold snap), other years multiple payments. WHP provides certainty: the same amount every year regardless of weather.
How and when is it paid?
For winter 2026/27:
- Qualifying week: Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November 2026 — you need to be getting a qualifying benefit in that week
- Payment: the single £62.00 payment is made from December 2026 and through the winter
- Method: paid into the same bank account as your qualifying benefit (direct bank transfer — not cheque)
If you change bank accounts: Make sure Social Security Scotland has your current details. Update at mygov.scot or call 0800 182 2222.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to apply for Winter Heating Payment?
No. WHP is paid automatically to those on qualifying benefits. You should receive a notification letter, then the payment. If you haven't received it and believe you're eligible, contact Social Security Scotland.
My qualifying benefit was only awarded recently — will I still get WHP?
Only if your benefit was in payment during the qualifying week (2 to 8 November 2026 for winter 2026/27). If your benefit started after that week, you won't receive WHP for that winter — but you should receive it the following year.
Can I get WHP if I'm on Universal Credit?
Only if your UC includes a limited capability for work element, a limited capability for work and work-related activity element, or a disabled child element (or you are working and get a child or young person disability element). Standard UC without these elements doesn't qualify. Check your UC breakdown in your online journal or call Social Security Scotland to confirm.
What if I live in Scotland but my benefit is paid by the DWP?
During the transition from DWP to Social Security Scotland administration, some Scottish residents are still receiving Carer's Allowance or other benefits from the DWP. In most cases you'll still receive WHP — Social Security Scotland cross-references DWP records. If in doubt, contact Social Security Scotland.
Does Winter Heating Payment count as income?
No. WHP is not counted as income for Universal Credit, Tax Credits, Housing Benefit, or any other means-tested benefit calculations. Receiving it doesn't affect any other payment you receive.
What about the Child Winter Heating Payment — do I need to apply?
No — this is also automatic. If your child is receiving the highest rate of a qualifying disability benefit, Social Security Scotland will identify them and pay automatically. If you believe your child is entitled but hasn't received it, contact Social Security Scotland.
Try it yourself
Check which Scottish benefits you qualify for, including Winter Heating Payment and Child Winter Heating Payment.
Open Scottish Benefits CheckerNo sign-up required.
Related Articles
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment — Scotland's replacement for the Winter Fuel Payment: £105.55–£316.70 for winter 2026/27
- Scottish Benefits Guide — all Scotland-only benefits explained
- Scottish Child Payment Guide — £28.20/week for qualifying families
- Adult Disability Payment Scotland — Scotland's replacement for PIP
- Carer Support Payment Scotland — Scotland's replacement for Carer's Allowance
- Free Personal Care Scotland — care for those aged 65 and over
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, or legal advice. Tax rates and thresholds can change — always verify current rates with Revenue Scotland, HMRC, or mygov.scot, and speak to a qualified financial adviser for advice specific to your circumstances.
Sources: mygov.scot — Winter Heating Payment, mygov.scot — Winter Heating Payment eligibility, mygov.scot — Child Winter Heating Payment, mygov.scot — Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, GOV.UK — Winter Fuel Payment