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As the temperature drops and the heating is turned on, attention turns to energy bills. You may be eligible to get help if you’re struggling to afford your energy bills or top up your prepayment meter depending on:
- how you pay for your energy;
- the type of energy you use;
- if you claim benefits.
There are a number of payments to help with the additional costs of heating your home during the winter months including Warm Home Discount, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, Winter Heating Payment, and Child Winter Heating Payment.
Warm Home Discount
For winter 2026/27, you could get a £150 discount on your electricity bill through the Warm Home Discount scheme. This is a one-off discount on your electricity bill. You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity. The scheme is due to open in October 2026 - please contact your supplier direct to find out more.
You'll get the £150 automatically if, on the qualifying date (23 August 2026):
- Your name or your partner's name is on your electricity bill;
AND
- You're getting any element of Pension Credit;
OR
- You're getting one of the benefits listed below AND you meet certain other conditions, such as having a child under five or getting a disability-related uplift as part of your benefit:
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance;
- Income-related Employment Support Allowance;
- Income Support;
- Support for Mortgage Interest; or
- Universal Credit.
. Otherwise, you’ll need to apply directly to your energy supplier.
Who is eligible?
You might be eligible if all of the following apply:
- your energy supplier is part of the scheme;
- you (or your partner) get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits;
- your name (or your partner’s) is on the electricity bill;
I don't get the discount automatically. How do I get the discount?
Contact your electricity supplier to check if you’re eligible and to apply. They will decide who gets the discount in Scotland.
The number of discounts suppliers can give is limited. Contact them as early as possible. Check with them even if you were eligible for a discount last year.
Most eligible households will receive an automatic discount. Your letter will say if you need to call a helpline on 0800 030 9322 no later than February 2027 to confirm your details. If you’re eligible, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill by 31 March 2027.
You can find out more about the Warm Home Discount scheme in Scotland here.
Suppliers
Please check with your supplier for more details on applying:
British Gas - check website for details
E-On Next Energy - check website for updates
Octopus Energy - check website for details
Ovo Energy - check website for details
Scottish Power - check website for details
Utilita Energy - check website for details
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (replaces Winter Fuel Payment)
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment helps people of State Pension age pay their heating bills. It's paid once a year and replaced Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland.
If you are eligible, you could get between £105.55 and £316.70 to help pay your heating bills.
How do I know if I'm eligible?
Most eligible people get the payment automatically and do not need to apply. You’ll get a letter to confirm your payment. Letters will be sent from November 2025.
If you were born before 20 June 1960 and receive a qualifying benefit during the qualifying week (Monday 21 September - 27 September 2026), you will receive the money automatically.
You must also receive one of the following benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
- Income Support
If you’re eligible, but do not get paid automatically, you may need to make a claim. Most payments are made automatically from November and will continue throughout winter. The deadline to apply for winter 2026-27 is 31 March 2027.
Winter Heating Payment
Winter Heating Payment is to help people on low-income benefits who might have extra heating needs. It is an annual payment of £62 that is paid automatically if you are eligible.
You must get and meet specific requirements of a qualifying benefit on at least one day during the qualifying week of 2-8 November 2026.
The qualifying benefits are:
· Universal Credit
· Pension Credit
· Income Support
· Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
· Income Related Employment Support Allowance
· Support for Mortgage Interest
A full list of each benefit’s further requirements can be found online at www.mygov.scot/winter-heating-payment/eligibility
Do I need to apply?
Most eligible people will receive this payment automatically. You will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland to let you know if you are eligible.
If you do not receive a Winter Heating Payment and think you are eligible, please contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222.
Child Winter Heating Payment
Child Winter Heating Payment is a yearly payment to help disabled children and young people and their families with increased heating costs over winter. The payment for winter 2026/27 is £265.50.
Will I be eligible for the Child Winter Heating Payment?
Children and young people in Scotland may be eligible for the Child WInter Heating Payment if they're under 19 years old and get one of the following 'qualifying benefits':
· 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.
To be eligible, the young person must have received the qualifying benefit on at least one day in the third full week of September (Monday 21 September - Sunday 27 September 2026). If there is more than one child or young person who qualifies in the household, they each get a payment.
Do I/we need to apply?
Eligible children and young people living in Scotland do not need to apply. You will get a letter from Social Security Scotland before they make the payment.
