Almost 840,000 payments already made to help with heating bills, says minister

Scots are benefiting from the “strongest package of winter support” in the UK, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said as figures showed almost 840,000 payments have been made to help with heating bills.

More than 568,000 pension age winter heating payments have been paid to those aged 66 and over already this winter.

The Scottish Government said the benefit – which replaces the UK winter fuel payment – sees older Scots receive between £101.70 and £305.10, depending on their circumstances.

In addition, more than 268,500 awards have been made so far under the winter heating payment and the child winter heating payment schemes – which are only available in Scotland.

The child winter heating payment helps support families with disabled children heat their homes, with the “vast majority” of payments to those eligible having already been made, according to the Government.

The winter heating payment provides additional help to those in receipt of certain benefits – with an estimated 475,000 people expected to get money as part of the scheme this winter.

Ms Somerville said with costs rising, “there will be many people struggling with household bills this winter”.

She added: “That’s why the Scottish Government is taking action and will deliver the strongest package of winter support than anywhere else in the UK.

“We’re providing winter help, no matter the weather.”

Joe Cluxton, energy co-ordinator at FEL, which provides free home energy advice to residents in the Forth Valley area, welcomed the range of winter heating payments from Social Security Scotland, saying they will help “address fuel poverty and the rising cost of heating our homes”.

He added: “The cost-of-living crisis may drive some to keep the heating off or too low in homes with vulnerable residents, and this is a valuable move to keep people safe through the coldest seasons.”