People on PIP or ADP could be due £251 before Christmas to help with winter energy bills
Social Security Scotland has confirmed that over 37,000 disabled children and young people received a one-off payment of £235.70 by December 15 to help cover the costs of higher energy bills during the colder months. The Child Winter Heating Payment is unique to Scotland and issued to youngsters under the age of 19 in receipt of the higher daily living component rate of Child Disability Payment, Adult Disability Payment (ADP), Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Disability Living Allowance (Child).
An estimated 29,000 families across Scotland received the payment last year and eligible households should have received a letter telling them to expect the money this winter. However, if you have not received the payment, or a letter, you may need to contact Social Security Scotland.
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New data from Social Security Scotland shows that payments started going out in October and the total value paid out to date is £9.3 million.
To be eligible for the payment, individual’s need to have been in claim for one of the benefits mentioned above during the qualifying week, which was September 16 to September 22, 2024.
Other key points about the payment:
The £251.50 payment is per child or young person - not per household
If there is more than one child or young person who qualifies in the household, they each get a payment
If someone is awarded a backdated payment for one of the qualifying benefits which falls within the eligibility week in September, they will also receive the payment
The money is paid into the same account where the qualifying benefit is paid into
Nobody on a qualifying benefit needs to apply separately to get the payment, however, in certain circumstances some people may need to apply - find out more about this here.
Eligibility for the winter 2024/25 payment
Children and young people in Scotland can get the heating payment if they are under 19-years-old and were claiming one of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week of 16-22 September, 2024.
Qualifying benefits for Child Winter Heating Payment
Young people under 19 getting one of the following benefits for at least one day during the September qualifying week will receive the £251.50 payment.
Qualifying benefits:
Child Disability Payment - highest rate of the care component
Disability Living Allowance for children - highest rate of the care component
Personal Independence Payment (PIP) - enhanced daily living component
Adult Disability Payment - enhanced rate of the daily living component
Scottish Government guidance also clarifies people do not not need to show receipts or proof of how they spent the money.
If a child or young person gets a qualifying benefit but does not live in Scotland between September 16 and September 22, 2024, they might still qualify if they:
live in certain European Economic Area (EEA) countries or Switzerland
can show they have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland
Find out what to do if the child no longer lives in Scotland here.
When will payments be made?
Social Security Scotland delivers the benefit and has confirmed that payments started landing in bank accounts in late October.
How do I apply?
Payments will be made to most people automatically, so there’s no need to apply. It will be made to the same account where people receive their DLA for Children, Child Disability Payment, PIP or ADP.
For more information, contact Social Security Scotland through web chat on the website here or call the freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday.
