Getting Started news in 2025
9 stories, newest first.
- December 2025
Winter heating payment to be paid in Scotland from December 2025
Scotland's winter heating payment, a one-off £59.75 for eligible households, is being paid from December 2025, with most payments completed by the end of February 2026.
- November 2025
Warm Home Discount scheme opens for 2025-26 winter
The Warm Home Discount scheme for winter 2025-26 is open, giving eligible households in England, Wales and Scotland a one-off £150 discount on their energy bill.
- June 2025
Scottish Child Payment recipients automatically assessed for Best Start Grant payments
People in Scotland who receive Scottish Child Payment are now automatically assessed for the Best Start Grant Early Learning Payment and School Age Payment, removing the need to submit a separate claim.
- April 2025
Carer's Allowance in Scotland being replaced by Carer Support Payment
Carer's Allowance is being replaced in Scotland by Carer Support Payment, a weekly payment of £86.45 for people caring at least 35 hours a week, with extra Scottish support paid alongside it.
Scottish assistance payment amounts increase from 1 April 2025
Scottish Ministers have uprated a range of devolved social security payments, with most new amounts taking effect from 1 April 2025 and some disability payments changing from 7 April 2025.
April price rises to increase emergency savings needs
Hargreaves Lansdown research reported by Which? calculates that households need up to £1,780 more in emergency savings to cover essential costs after April bill rises.
Carer Support Payment replaces Carer's Allowance in Scotland
Carer's Allowance has been replaced in Scotland by Carer Support Payment, with existing claimants moved across automatically and new claimants told to apply for the Scottish payment instead.
- March 2025
Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance first introduced in Scotland
Adults in Scotland receiving Disability Living Allowance had their awards moved automatically to a new Scottish Adult DLA from the end of March 2025, with no application and no change in payment amount.
Warm Home Discount rebates to be applied to bills by end of March 2025
Confirmed Warm Home Discount rebates of £150 for winter 2024/25 should be applied automatically to electricity bills in England, Wales and Scotland by the end of March 2025.