Through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), the UK government provides families with financial support during the holiday season to help pay heating bills, such as paying for winter fuel. Over the past two years, many decentralized governments across the country have introduced supplemental benefit schemes to achieve the same goal. Last year, the Scottish government of Holyrood launched its own children’s winter heating aid, to which PIP and DLA applicants are eligible.

Between November 2020 and March 2021, more than 14,000 payments worth a total of £ 2.8million were made to those receiving financial assistance. Children’s Winter Heating Aid is a payment of £ 202 which is made annually to those who are eligible for assistance. Those who meet the eligibility criteria do not need to apply as payment will be made automatically by Social Security Scotland. All families will receive a confirmation letter once the first payment is made.

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To start receiving payments, applicants must be 18 years of age or younger and receive the highest rate care component of the Disability Living Allowance for Children. Alternatively, they can receive the higher rate care component of the Child Disability Allowance or obtain the enhanced daily living component of the PIP. However, those on PIP must receive their payment at least one day between September 20, 2021 and September 26, 2021. Payments will start around the end of November and payments will be made in batches over the Christmas period.

“Automatically giving this money back to families in the winter will help them budget and balance the many financial pressures they may face this time of year. Children’s winter heating assistance is automatically paid into the same account applicants receive their PIP and DLA payments. No application is required for the benefit plan. Benefit claimants in Scotland receive their payments from Scottish Social Security, not the DWP.