voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
voluntary organisations, social enterprises and volunteering
Low Income Winter Heating Assistance changes name to Winter Heating Payment
Created: 02/10/2022, Updated: 06/10/2022Winter Heating Payment- previously named Low Income Winter Heating Assistance- will replace Cold Weather Payment in Scotland from February 2023.
The name change comes after months of user testing with people who have lived experience of the benefits system. Social Security Scotland has ensured the chosen name made the most sense to those who will access the payment and was as clear and concise as possible.
Winter Heating payment will be available to anyone currently eligible for Cold Weather Payment from the Department of Work and Pensions if their circumstances have not changed. Unlike the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payments, the benefit will not be dependent on cold weather in a specific area to trigger a payment.
People on qualifying low-income benefits will automatically receive a guaranteed annual payment of £50, supporting some 400,000 Scottish recipients and marking an investment of around £20 million each year.
Receiving the Winter Heating Payment will not affect the payment of any other benefits from DWP- including the Winter Fuel Payment- or Social Security Scotland.