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Help with Energy Bills this Winter - Warm Home Discount Now Open
You could get £140 off your electricity bill for Winter 2020 to 2021 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.
Contact your energy supplier or our Welfare Rights Officer Dawn to find out if you are entitled.
Cold Weather Payment
Automatic payment of £25 if you are in receipt of a means tested benefit and the average temperature, in your area, drops to 0 degrees or below for 7 consecutive days.
This year’s scheme starts 1st November 2020.
Winter Fuel Payment
You could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills if you were born before 5th October 1954.
Most payments are made automatically between November and December. You should get your money by 13 January 2021.
If you’re eligible but do not get paid automatically, you will need to make a claim.
The deadline for claiming payments for winter 2020 to 2021 is 31 March 2021.
Contact the Enquiry Line on 0800 731 0160 or our Welfare Rights Officer Dawn for help to make a claim.
New Funeral Grants
From 16/9/2019 the Scottish Government will be responsible for Funeral Grant payments. This replaces the UK scheme. The applicant must be entitled to means tested benefits and applications can be made online at www. Mygov.scot/funeral-support or by telephone on 0800 182 2222.
The call centre opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Post Office Accounts closing
Post Office card account is provided by Post Office on behalf of the Department of Work and Pensions. DWP do not intend to extend the current contract past 2021. This means after this date you will no longer be able to receive benefit payments into your account. The Department of Work & Pensions will write to you in advance so you may want to think about opening a new bank or building society account.
New Benefit for Young Carers
Social Security Scotland have launched a young carer grant from 21st October 2019. Young carer’s aged 16-18 who have spent an average of 16 hours per week caring for someone who receives a disability benefit for the last 3 months can apply. This is a payment of £300 annually until the young person becomes age 19. Applications can be made online at www.myscot.gov/young-carer or by calling 0800 182 2222.
