Financial Support to Heat Homes
Social Security Scotland have started paying Child Winter Heating Payment, an annual automatic payment of Ā£251.50 to help families of disabled children heat their homes.
The payment, a benefit only available in Scotland, provides direct financial support to help families of disabled children and young children with extra heating costs over the winter months.
The annual payment of Ā£251.50 is paid automatically to disabled people under the age of 19 who get certain benefits during what is called a qualifying week. This year the qualifying week was 16-22 September and people will start getting the automatic payment from early October without the need to apply.
Qualifying benefits include the highest rate of the care component of Child Disability Payment or Disability Living Allowance for children, as well as the enhanced rate of either the daily living component of Adult Disability Payment or Personal Independence Payment.
This unique support payment is an important intervention by the Scottish Government and makes a real difference to those who receive it.
GRAEME
The additional costs and needs of caring for a disabled child are considerable, and many such families will find themselves struggling to heat their homes on top of everything else.
I would encourage anyone who has not received a letter but thinks they should be eligible to contact Social Security Scotland.
No one should have to endure a freezing cold home this winter.
Child Winter Heating Payment is paid to each person who is eligible, not per household. So if more than one child or young person living in the same house is entitled, they will each get a payment.
Families will get a letter to confirm they are entitled to the payment and money will be paid into the same account as their qualifying benefits.
If someone thinks they are eligible but have not received a letter they can find out more at mygov.scot/childwinterheatingpayment or call us free on 0800 182 2222.