Natalie Don MSP is encouraging Renfrewshire residents to share their views on the Scottish Government’s proposals to launch a new heating benefit to help low income households in Renfrewshire and across Scotland.
The MSP for Renfrewshire North and West is urging local people to input their opinions via a consultation about the Scottish Government’s planned Low Income Winter Heating Assistance payment of a guaranteed £50 for qualifying households every winter from 2022, which will replace the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment scheme.
The current UK Government benefit triggers a £25 payment only when temperatures are recorded or forecast at below zero degrees Celsius for seven days in a row, whilst the Scottish Government’s replacement Low Income Winter Heating Assistance benefit would provide financial stability regardless of the exact temperatures.
Qualifying benefits for the Low Income Winter Heating Assistance payment are proposed to include Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Universal Credit and Support for Mortgage Interest.
Natalie Don MSP said: “I am pleased to see the SNP Government is taking important steps towards supporting low income families in Renfrewshire and across Scotland who may need help paying to heat their homes during future winter periods.
“There have been some years when the UK Tory Government has provided only one or no Cold Weather Payments at all but, thankfully, the Scottish Government’s new Low Income Winter Heating Assistance would be guaranteed, irrespective of whether the temperature is forecast or recorded as zero degrees Celsius for seven days in a row, and will double the support for more households at risk of fuel poverty and which need extra help with heating costs during the coldest months of the year.
“I urge Renfrewshire residents to take the opportunity to get involved in the government’s consultation and share their views on the various policy aspects of this vital proposed benefit before it is finalised.”
For more information about the government’s consultation, which ends on 23 February 2022, go to www.gov.scot/publications/consultation-low-income-winter-heating-assistance-liwha