DWP error sees 37,000 people wake up to missing money in bank account

A DWP error saw 40,000 households miss out on winter payment and the mistake affected around 37,000 homes who were due to receive the Winter Heating allowance.

A Department for Work and Pensions error has seen as many as 40,000 people miss out on a winter payment. A DWP error saw 40,000 households miss out on winter payment and the mistake affected around 37,000 homes who were due to receive the Winter Heating allowance.

The payment is a replacement benefit for the Cold Weather Payment for those living in Scotland. This payment is worth £58.75 every winter and is paid automatically by Social Security Scotland to those on a low income or benefits once a year.

An error by the DWP, which occurred when it passed claimants details over to the Scottish government, meant around 37,000 households didn't receive this cash, according to The Times. Shirley-Anne Somerville, the social justice secretary, told the publication Social Security Scotland had noticed an issue "with a number of seemingly eligible clients" and had asked the DWP to investigate.

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Anyone who has been affected will receive a letter this week. A DWP spokesperson said: "We have now rectified the issue. We want to ensure that everyone receives the support they are entitled to. Where errors do occur, we are committed to resolving them as soon as possible."

You should receive the Winter Heating Payment automatically if you live in Scotland and you claim one of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week. Criteria includes Universal Credit (if you're employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element, or you're not employed or self-employed and you have either a limited capability for work element, limited capability for work element with a work related activity element, a child or young person disability element, or a child under five) and Pension Credit.

Income Support (if you have a child under five or you get a disability premium, severe disability premium, pensioner premium, the child disability premium or the disability element of Child Tax Credit) and Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (if you have a child under five or you get a disability premium, severe disability premium, pensioner premium, the child disability premium or the disability element of Child Tax Credit) are also included.

Income-related Employment Support Allowance (if you have a child under five, or you're in a support group or a work related activity group, or you get a severe or enhanced disability premium, a pensioner premium or the disability element of Child Tax Credit) and Support for Mortgage Interest (if you have a child under five or you get a disability premium, a pensioner premium, a child disability premium or the disability element of Child Tax Credit) are also qualifications.