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How Winter Heating Payment works

Winter Heating Payment helps people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs. It's automatically paid once a year.

The payment for winter 2023 to 2024 is £55.05.

Winter Heating Payment will not affect:

  • the payment of any other benefits you’re currently getting, including Universal Credit
  • Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Heating Payment has replaced Cold Weather Payment in Scotland. Unlike the Cold Weather Payment, Winter Heating Payment does not depend on how cold the temperature gets.

When you’ll get your payment if you’re eligible

Payments for winter 2023 to 2024 will begin from the middle of December.

Social Security Scotland expects to pay the majority of eligible people by the end of January 2024. You’ll receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before they make the payment.

You can identify the payment by the reference code on your bank statement. The code will include 'WHP'. This stands for Winter Heating Payment.

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