The Child Winter Heating Payment, previously known as Child Winter Heating Assistance, is returning for the 2026 winter in Scotland. Eligible families with disabled children and young people could receive an extra £265.50 to help with increased heating costs.
The payment, first introduced in 2020, is provided by the Scottish Government. It is paid once a year from October and throughout the winter, regardless of how cold the weather gets. The current payment amount stands at £265.50.
Who qualifies for the payment
Children and young people in Scotland under 19 years old can receive the assistance if they get one of the qualifying benefits. These include the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment, the highest rate of the care component of Disability Living Allowance for children, the enhanced daily living component of Personal Independence Payment, or the enhanced rate of the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment.
Eligible children and young people living in Scotland do not need to apply. The payment is made automatically, usually into the same bank account used for their Child Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance for children, Personal Independence Payment, or Adult Disability Payment.
Automatic payments and notification
Recipients will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before the payment is made. Social Security Scotland, which has control over some DWP benefits after devolution from the Labour Party government, has championed the return of the scheme on its website.
Social Security Scotland said: "An estimated 1.4 million payments will be made to people across Scotland to help with heating their homes this winter, with payments set to begin from October."
The agency added: "Our unique package of winter heating benefits provides guaranteed support to pensioners, low-income households and families with disabled children and young people."
The payment is part of a broader package of winter heating support in Scotland, which also includes assistance for pensioners and low-income households. Families with eligible children can expect the payment to arrive automatically, with no application process required.
