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What is child winter heating payment

Child winter heating payment used to be called child winter heating assistance.

It's a payment for disabled children and young people to help with heating costs over the winter.

Who can get child winter heating payment

You get child winter heating payment for a child or young person under 19 who lives in Scotland and who is entitled to:

  • the highest rate of the care component of child disability payment (CDP) or disability living allowance (DLA), or
  • the enhanced rate of the daily living component of adult disability payment (ADP) or personal independence payment (PIP).

They must be entitled to the relevant disability benefit during the 'qualifying week' which is week beginning on the third Monday in September (16 to 22 September in 2024).

If CDP, DLA, ADP or PIP is awarded but later backdated to cover this date, child winter heating payment is payable.

Child winter heating payment is not affected by any other income or savings that you or your child has.

How much is child winter heating payment

Child winter heating payment is an annual payment of £251.50 (2024 rate) for each disabled child or young person. The payment is usually paid into the same account into which the disability benefit is paid.

Claiming child winter heating payment

You do not have to make a claim for child winter heating payment. If you're eligible, it should be paid by Social Security Scotland, usually in November. 

If you think you're entitled but have not received payment by the end of December, you should contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.

If you're unhappy with a decision about child winter heating payment, you can challenge the decision.

More information

For in-depth information about child winter heating payment, see chapter 78 of the Welfare benefits and tax credits handbook. You'll need a subscription to be able to log in and read the content. 

Read the child winter heating payment regulations on legislation.gov.uk