New benefit announced to help families with disabilities meet cost of heating

The Scottish Government has said it will lay legislation for a new disability-related benefit to help families meet the cost of heating their homes.

The Child Winter Heating Assistance will be the first disability benefit to be introduced using new social security powers.

Families with children in receipt of the highest rate of Disability Living Allowance Child will receive an extra £200.

Payments will be made automatically to eligible families through Social Security Scotland.

The Scottish Government says it is on track to begin making payments this winter.

It added: “A client will qualify for Child Winter Heating Assistance if they live in Scotland and are in receipt of the highest rate care component of Disability Living Allowance for children on at least one day between 21 September 2020 to 27 September 2020.”

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “I am delighted that we will be delivering the new Child Winter Heating Assistance in time for families to benefit from it as we move into the colder months.

“This extra money will help the families of the most seriously disabled children with the additional costs that they can have with heating a home.

“Families do not need to take action or apply for this benefit, Social Security Scotland will make the payments automatically to all eligible families.

“Despite the impact of the pandemic and having to adapt to new and different ways of working, we have prioritised its implementation so we can reach families in need at this particularly difficult time.”