Automatic payments of £62 have been confirmed for eligible UK households this winter. The Winter Heating Payment is available to households in Scotland receiving certain benefits. According to the Scottish Government, an estimated 487,000 people will receive the payment, with payments due to roll out from December.
Eligibility and Qualifying Week
Households will automatically get the single payment this winter if they meet the eligibility criteria during the qualifying week, which this year runs from November 2 to November 8, 2026. To qualify, households must be receiving at least one of the following benefits during that week: Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, Income-related Employment Support Allowance, or Support for Mortgage Interest.
Those receiving a qualifying benefit will automatically receive the £62 payment from December. Social Security Scotland will send a letter or email to eligible households confirming the payment, and it will appear on bank statements as 'WHP'.
Scottish Government Confirmation
Confirming the payments, the Scottish Government said: "Winter Heating Payment is a guaranteed, annual payment for low-income households in receipt of certain benefits. This is paid irrespective of how cold the temperature gets outside, unlike the UK Government's Cold Weather Payment which is only paid if the average temperature reaches, or is forecast to reach, freezing or below for a full week. Payments will begin from December."
The £62 Winter Heating Payment comes alongside other financial schemes supporting Scottish households this winter, including Pension Age Winter Heating Payments and Child Winter Heating Payments. According to the Scottish Government, an estimated 1.4 million payments will be made to people across Scotland to help with heating their homes, with payments set to begin from October.
Official Response
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: "Over a million people are set to benefit from the Scottish Government's package of winter heating support – which is stronger than anywhere else in the UK. With energy costs predicted to rise again, this could be a valuable lifeline for older people, families on low incomes, disabled children and young people. We are committed to treating people with the dignity, fairness and respect they deserve. Our approach supports those most in need. The Scottish Government will continue to ensure vulnerable people get the financial help they need this winter."
