Overview

Child Winter Heating Assistance is a new benefit from the Scottish Government.

It's a payment of £200 for children and young people up to the age of 18. To get the payment they must meet two criteria on at least one day in the third full week of September (called the "qualifying week"). On that day they must:

• get the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for children
• be resident in Scotland

In 2020, the qualifying week began on Monday 21 September. If there is more than one child or young person in your household who qualifies, they will all get the payment.

You will not need to show receipts or proof of how the money is spent.

If a child or young person did not live in Scotland during the qualifying week, you might still get the payment if you:

• live in Switzerland or a European Economic Area (EEA) country
• can show you have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland

Applying for Child Winter Heating Assistance

You do not need to apply for the payment if the child currently lives in Scotland. If the child or young person is eligible, you'll be paid automatically into the same account that your Disability Living Allowance for children is paid into.

You'll get a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made.

If the child no longer lives in Scotland, you can find out how to apply in the 'Who can get Child Winter Heating Assistance' section.

Social Security Scotland

Social Security Scotland pays Child Winter Heating Assistance.

Social Security Scotland is the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing benefits devolved to Scotland.

Find out more about Social Security Scotland.