As the clocks go back and the nights draw in and we prepare for Halloween, the scariest thing approaching for many is the thought of how to keep the home warm and the cost of doing so down.
£100 one off payment for households in certain council tax bands
The Chancellor, John Healey, announced in his Autumn Budget that those in council tax bands A-D will receive a one of payment of £100. This will be paid directly into their bank accounts if they pay by direct debit and households will be contacted to arrange a payment if they do not. The Deputy First Minister confirmed that the Scottish Government will pay this out to all eligible households.
Gas bills cut
The Budget also announced that there will be a removal of standard charges from gas bills saving around £75 a year.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
There have also been recent changes to the Warm Home Discount Scheme, with more people becoming eligible in the core group. This means a wider criteria for those who can receive the payment automatically. This means a larger group of people qualifying for a £150 credit in their electric accounts.
To qualify automatically you need to be in receipt of:
- Pension Credit
- an extra amount of Universal Credit because you or your child has a disability or health condition
- a disability premium or a pensioner premium of income-related Employment Support Allowance
- a disability premium or a pensioner premium and have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
You’ll also get the discount automatically if you or your partner has responsibility for a child under 5 who normally lives with you and you:
- are unemployed and get Universal Credit
- get Income-related Employment Support Allowance
- have a Support for Mortgage Interest loan
For the broader group in Scotland the criteria depend on your supplier so you will need to contact them directly but to give you an idea of what this may be here is a few suppliers criteria:
Ovo:
- A person who receives Pension Age Disability Payment
- A person who receives Adult Disability Payment
- A person who receives Universal Credit
- A person who receives Income Support
- A person who receives Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- A person who receives Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- A person who receives Housing Benefits
- A person who receives Free School Meals (FSM) for children born on or before 1 April 2018
- A person whose Gross Annual Household Income (before benefits, tax and deductions) is less than £21,091
- A person who receives Contribution-Based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) OR New Style Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
Scottish Power:
You must be in receipt of one benefit from the Eligibility group below.
- Pension Age Disability payment
- Adult disability payment
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Housing Benefits
- Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Octopus:
If you are on a low income and/or in receipt of certain means tested benefits you may be eligible under the Core Group Scotland or Broader Group
Letters from the government have started to be sent out to qualifying households and you have until the 26 February 2027 to respond. Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme if you do not get a letter by early January 2027 and you think you’re eligible.
You must contact them before 26 February 2027.
If you live in Scotland and applied directly to your energy supplier, you will not get a letter from the Warm Home Discount Scheme. Contact your energy supplier instead.
Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline
Telephone: 0800 030 9322
Relay UK (if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 229 4325
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Warm Home Discount Scheme
PO Box 970
Preston
PR2 0FX
If you fall under the broader scheme, contact your energy supplier direct to apply. The scheme is only run for a specified time which your supplier will have details of.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
You could get between £101.70 and £305.10 to help towards your heating bills.
To get the payment for winter 2025, you need to be born on or before 21 September 1959.
Winter Heating Payment
Winter Heating Payment has replaced Cold Weather Payment in Scotland. It helps people on low income benefits who might have extra heating needs.
It’s paid once a year. The payment is £62.00.
Most people do not need to apply. You’ll get this payment automatically if you qualify.
You could qualify if you get certain benefits, like:
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
- Support for Mortgage Interest
Child Winter Heating Payment
Child Winter Heating Payment used to be called Child Winter Heating Assistance. It helps disabled children, young people and their families who might have extra heating needs.
- It’s paid once a year. The payment is £265.50.
- Most people do not need to apply. You’ll get this payment automatically if you qualify.
If you use heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to heat your home, you may be able to get help with your fuel costs.
Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme
The scheme can pay £300 directly to your fuel supplier. Some people may be able to get a further £300 at least 3 months later.
You may qualify if you get certain benefits.
You may also qualify if you:
- are experiencing financial hardship and are at risk of cutting back on heating
- have certain additional needs or vulnerabilities
Scottish Welfare Fund
The Scottish Welfare Fund is made up of 2 different grants to support people in crisis and to help people live independently within the community.
- One of these is a Crisis Grant. It can help to cover heating costs in a disaster or emergency.
- You can only apply through your local council.
Funding for energy saving home improvements
- Check if you get funding for energy saving improvements.