FAMILIES in Renfrewshire with severely-disabled children received £171,000 to heat their homes over the winter, new statistics have revealed.

The Scottish Government’s Child Winter Heating Assistance scheme, introduced in 2020, is an automatic payment of £214.10 for children and young people under the age of 19.

Renfrewshire ranked 11th highest out of Scotland’s 32 council areas for the number of Child Winter Heating Assistance payments issued over the winter, with 800 being made.

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This was a rise of 175 compared to 2021/22, when £127,000 was issued to families in the area.

The new figures mean a total of 2,005 payments, worth a combined £414,000, have been made in Renfrewshire since the scheme was introduced.

The next payment will increase by 10.1% to £235.70 for winter 2023-2024.

Shirley-Anne Somerville, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, said: "The cost-of-living crisis and higher energy bills mean that families are struggling more than ever.

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"Getting this money to families who may need to heat their homes for longer than others over the winter months provides crucial financial support and eases financial pressure at a challenging time of year. Therefore, it is welcome news that £170,000 has been paid to eligible families in Renfrewshire for winter 2022/23.

"This Scottish Government benefit is one of seven benefits only available in Scotland and is automatically paid to families of the most severely-disabled children and young people.

"I urge anyone who is struggling during the cost of living crisis to visit the Scottish Government’s cost-of-living website for support and advice."