Check if you qualify for £55 one-off winter heating payment as money starts landing in bank accounts
20.12.2023 - 09:44
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
The Scottish Government has announced that people on a low income will start receiving a one-off payment for £55.05 this week to help with higher energy bills. Around 400,000 eligible households are due the Winter Heating Payment between now and the end of January, 2024.
The devolved benefit is only available in Scotland and replaced the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) last winter. 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.
Social Security Scotland will deliver the payments automatically in batches, with members of the Daily Record Money Saving Scotland Facebook group reporting that the £55.05 lump sum has already started landing in bank accounts. The money is designed to help households with young children, disabled or older people, with additional support every winter.
The majority of people eligible for Winter Heating Payment during the qualifying week of November 6-12, will receive it automatically, with no need to apply. It is paid through Social Security Scotland and people will receive a letter to let them know they are eligible before the payment is made.
Full details about the payment can be found on the mygov.scot website here. Below is an overview of the eligibility criteria for the payment and qualifying benefits.
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We are investing around £22 million this winter through Winter Heating Payments to support 400,000 people on low incomes across the country at a time when they are struggling with the cost of living crisis and higher energy bills.
“Winter Heating Payment guarantees that
The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can
send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.