December in Scotland can be depressing to some who are not accustomed to the cold and wet weather accompanied by the short daylight hours. However, many Scots enjoy the month thanks to several winter activities and the festive vibe, and lest we forget the £59 December boost for claimants of six particular benefits. From major celebrations like Hogmanay to family gatherings, and from the Christmas Bonus to the £59 payment, December is truly worth becoming excited about in Scotland this year.
Goodbye to the Christmas Bonus, as this payment is back
Festive celebrations and family gatherings set aside, one thing that everyone in Scotland always looks forward to during December is the additional benefit payments. December is one of the coldest winter months, and thousands of Scots appreciate the financial support provided by winter support programmes, as it helps them in affording the higher energy expenses associated with seasonal increases and demands.
One such programme is a longstanding tradition dating back to 1972. Its payments are known as the Christmas Bonus, which is a one-off payment to all qualifying UK residents, including those in Scotland. However, another payment will be distributed soon, and most will say goodbye to the Christmas Bonus and hello to the £59 December boost for claimants who qualify.
£59 December boost for claimants who qualify
The £59 December boost is known as the Winter Heating Payment, and this winter support programme has replaced the DWP’s Cold Weather Payment in Scotland. In 2024, Social Security Scotland made approximately 465,510 Winter Heating Payments to assist with higher energy expenses, totalling £27.3 million paid out to qualifying individuals. The payment is worth £59.75 this year.
The Scottish agency utilises individuals’ data from the qualifying week, which was from 3 November to 9 November, to determine their eligibility. You may qualify for the payment if you were a claimant of one of the following six benefits during the qualifying week:
- Support for Mortgage Interest
- Employment Support Allowance (Income-related)
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (Income Support or Income-based)
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
Some of these benefits have additional criteria that must be met for you to qualify for the £59 boost this year, as indicated by the Government of Scotland’s website. Now that you know the eligibility criteria, find out when you can expect your payment.
This is when to expect your payment
The Winter Heating Payment is distributed annually by Social Security Scotland and is a one-off payment. Usually, you do not have to lift a finger to receive this payment. According to the official statement from the Government of Scotland, payments are automatically paid out to qualifying Scots between December and February. All who qualify can expect a letter in the post or an email from Social Security Scotland.
If you are uncertain whether you have received your payment for this year, you can search for “WHP” on your bank statement to check. If you haven’t received your payment and are eligible, you are advised to contact Social Security Scotland by making a Winter Heating Payment request either by form or by telephone. Additional information is available on the Government of Scotland website.
Scottish Decembers are a delight to many for so many reasons. If you have discovered that you are eligible for this payment, fingers crossed that those additional pounds reflect in your bank account sooner rather than later! Remember, the payment is meant to assist with heating expenses. For those of you with a burning desire to be in the festive mood and spend some money, there are several magical Christmas markets available across the UK this year. The biggest one-day Christmas market has returned to its original spot this year, so ensure you do not miss out!
Disclaimer: Our coverage of one-off payments, support payments, tax reliefs, tax refunds, tax credits and other payments is based on the official sources listed in the article. All payment amounts and dates, as well as eligibility requirements, are subject to change by the governing institutions. Always consult the official source we provide to stay up to date and obtain information for your decision-making.