More than 10 million pensioners across the UK, including 850,000 in Scotland, are set to miss out on Winter Fuel Payments this year after the Labour Government announced the annual heating bill help will only be issued to those over 66 in receipt of means-tested benefits. The Scottish Government also adopted the policy change which means only older people on Pension Credit, Tax Credits or mixed age Universal Credit couples will receive payments of up to £300.
However, people over State Pension age who no longer qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment could still be due a series of extra payments and energy bill help before the end of this year from the Scottish Government and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). There are two cash payments and one which is paid directly to their energy supplier.
It’s also important to be aware that the Scottish Government has delayed the launch of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment until winter 2025/26. This new devolved benefit will replace the DWP’s annual payment for older people in Scotland, but will follow the same eligibility rule change as Winter Fuel Payment – DWP will deliver payments to Scots pensioners this winter.
Financial help this winter
- Winter Heating Payment (£58.75) – issued by the Scottish Government to those on means-tested benefits
- Child Winter Heating Payment (£251.50) – issued by the Scottish Government to households of young people under 19 on disability benefits
- Warm Home Discount (£150) – paid directly from DWP to energy providers and usually added as credit to customer’s electricity account, for those on means-tested benefits
- DWP Christmas Bonus (£10) – issued by DWP to people on State Pension or certain benefits
Winter Heating Payment – £58.75 (Scotland only)
This devolved benefit is paid per person and is only available in Scotland and replaced the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the DWP in winter 2022. Unlike the DWP benefit, it is not dependent on a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location but is an annual, one-off payment made no matter the temperature.
The payment rises each year in line with inflation and will be worth £58.75 this winter. Payments are set to start in mid-December. It is designed to help people on a low income or benefits who might have extra heating needs during the winter – this includes those on Pension Credit, Universal Credit and Income Support.
The qualifying period for this year’s payment is November 4-10, 2024. More information about this year’s payment, including eligibility, can be found here.
Child Winter Heating Payment – £251.50 (Scotland only)
This is an annual payment designed to help families of youngsters up to the age of 19 on the highest rate care component of disability benefits. This includes Disability Living Allowance for Children, Child or Adult Disability Payment and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
The money aims to help cover the costs of higher energy bills for families with disabled children, or those with long-term health issues or a terminal illness.
This one is included in the list for any foster families, grandparents or guardians responsible for the care of someone with a disability under the age of 19. The money is paid directly to claimants and letters should start arriving soon advising of the payment.
Payments start going out this month – find out more here.
Warm Home Discount – £150 paid to energy provider
The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2024 to 2025 is now open across Great Britain and will give people on certain benefits £150 off their electricity bill. A full list of participating energy suppliers can be found here.
The scheme eligibility rules changed in 2022, which means some people may no longer qualify and others might need to apply – people in Scotland – as they will not receive the discount directly.
The money is paid directly by the DWP to energy suppliers between October and March. Eligible households may also be able to get the discount off their gas bill instead – if their supplier provides them with both gas and electricity, just contact them once the scheme opens to find out.
If you’re a credit customer the £150 will be added to your electricity account and if you’re on Pay As You Go or Prepayment, you’ll be sent a voucher that you can use to top-up your meter. Below is an overview of the scheme and the rules on eligibility.
You can read more about the changes to eligibility on GOV.UK here.
DWP Christmas Bonus – £10
The bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people in receipt of State Pension or those claiming certain other benefits during the qualifying week – usually the first full week of December.
Nobody needs to apply for the extra £10 as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your State Pension or benefit payment. It is made as a separate payment, independent of your scheduled State Pension or benefit payment, so it may arrive on a different day.
Eligible benefits
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Age Disability Payment (PADP) – launches October 21
- Pension Credit – the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
Find out more about the Christmas Bonus here.