Thousands of families eligible for £460 energy help after Winter Fuel Payment axe
Thousands of people who are no longer entitled to Winter Fuel Payments could still get a series of extra help before the end of the year.
More than 10 million pensioners across the UK will miss out on Winter Fuel Payments this year after the Labour Government announced the annual heating bill help will now only be available to those claiming means-tested benefits. Previously, it was available to everyone over state pension age.
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, from next year, the Winter Fuel Payment will be replaced in Scotland by the new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Those in receipt of qualifying benefits like Pension Credit will get £200 or £300 depending on their age, while all other state pensioners will get £100. But in the meantime, here is all the help available from the Scottish Government.
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Winter Heating Payment – £58.75
This benefit is available only in Scotland and replaced the 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.
Child Winter Heating Payment – £251.50
This payment is designed to help families in Scotland with a young person 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. The money is paid directly to claimants and letters should start arriving soon advising of the payment.
Warm Home Discount – £150 paid to energy provider
The Warm Home Discount Scheme gives people on certain benefits £150 off their electricity bill. 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.
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. 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.
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