The Short Answer
Social Security Scotland pays the £265.50 Child Winter Heating Payment from the week beginning 5 October 2026, and young people under 19 on the enhanced daily living part of PIP qualify. The payment also goes to under-19s on the highest care rate of Child Disability Payment or child DLA, and on enhanced daily living Adult Disability Payment. It is paid once a year, usually automatically, whatever the weather. PIP itself does not change.
What this means for your payments
- Who is affected: children and young people under 19 in Scotland who got a qualifying disability benefit on at least one day in the third full week of September 2026.
- What changes to your money or your payment date: one payment of £265.50 for each eligible child or young person. PIP payments do not change.
- From when: payments start in the week beginning 5 October 2026.
- What you need to do: usually nothing. The payment is automatic, and Social Security Scotland sends a letter before it pays.
What Changed
Social Security Scotland announced on 30 September 2026 that Child Winter Heating Payment starts to be paid from the week beginning 5 October 2026. The payment is £265.50. It helps families of disabled children and young people with higher heating costs over winter.
A child or young person qualifies if they are under 19, live in Scotland and get one of these benefits:
| Qualifying benefit | Rate that qualifies |
|---|---|
| Personal Independence Payment | Enhanced rate of the daily living part |
| Adult Disability Payment | Enhanced rate of the daily living part |
| Child Disability Payment | Highest rate of the care part |
| Disability Living Allowance for children | Highest rate of the care part |
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The benefit must be in payment on at least one day in the third full week of September. That includes a qualifying benefit that is later backdated to cover that week. If more than one child in a household qualifies, each one gets a payment.
How the Payment Arrives
Most families do not need to apply, because the payment is made automatically. It is usually paid into the same bank account as the qualifying benefit. Social Security Scotland sends a letter before the payment is made. No receipts or proof of spending are needed.
A young person who moves from child DLA to PIP or Adult Disability Payment still qualifies if the new award includes the enhanced daily living rate. The move itself is explained in From Child DLA to PIP at 16, and the Scottish adult benefit in Adult Disability Payment.
Other Winter Payments in Scotland This Year
Child Winter Heating Payment is one of 3 winter heating benefits that Social Security Scotland pays in 2026/27. It estimates about 1.4 million payments in total.
| Payment | Who it is for | When payments start |
|---|---|---|
| Child Winter Heating Payment | Disabled children and young people with the highest care needs | Week beginning 5 October 2026 |
| Pension Age Winter Heating Payment | People of State Pension age; £105.55 to £316.70 | November 2026 |
| Winter Heating Payment | Low-income households on certain benefits | December 2026 |
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Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is paid to all eligible pensioners, but HMRC recovers it from people with an individual income over £35,000.
Legal Status
Child Winter Heating Payment is a Scottish Government benefit paid by Social Security Scotland, not a DWP payment. It was first paid in 2020, under its earlier name of Child Winter Heating Assistance. It is not available anywhere else in the UK.
What Has Not Changed
PIP rates and PIP awards do not change. The enhanced daily living rate of PIP stays at £114.60 a week in 2026/27. A young person reaches the enhanced daily living rate with 12 or more daily living points. To see where an award might fall, you can check your daily living points with the calculator.
What Happens Next
Payments continue through the winter, starting in the week beginning 5 October 2026. Pension Age Winter Heating Payments start in November 2026 and Winter Heating Payments in December 2026.