Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

In Scotland, most people of pensionable age can get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to help with their fuel bills.

The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaced the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025. It’s paid once a year.

You might also be eligible for the Winter Heating Payment.

What is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is a payment of between £105.55 and £316.70 for pensioners in Scotland.

Most people get the payment automatically. From November 2026, Social Security Scotland will send out a letter to confirm payments.

Am I eligible for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?

You should get Pension Age Winter Heating payment if:

• you were born on, or before, 27 June 1960
• you were living in Scotland on Sunday 27 September 2026 (the last day of “qualifying week”).

You won’t get Pension Age Winter Heating if you:

• were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole qualifying week (Monday 21 September to Sunday 27 September 2026) and the 52 weeks leading up to it
• were in custody, under a sentence imposed by a court, between Monday 21 September to Sunday 27 September 2026
• you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says you cannot claim public funds
• your individual income is over £35,000 (HMRC will pay you but take the payment back through tax)

You won’t get the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment if you live in residential care (a non-NHS care home or hospital) and all the following apply:

1. you were in residential care for the whole qualifying week
2. you went into care before 29 June 2026
3. you got any of these benefits during the qualifying week:

• Pension Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit

If you’re not sure whether you qualify, you can use the eligibility checker on the Scottish Government’s website.

When will Pension Age Winter Heating Payment be paid?

Pension Age Winter Heating Payments start from November 2026 but could be paid anytime throughout winter. You’ll get a letter before the payment, telling you how much you’ll get.

Most people will get an automatic payment into the same bank account as their state pension. The payment reference will will include ‘PAWHP’ (Pension Age Winter Heating Payment).

Do I need to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?

You might need to apply if:

• you’ve deferred your State Pension since your last Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or Winter Fuel Payment
• you get a joint award for Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support or Universal Credit and the main person getting that benefit is below State Pension age

Social Security Scotland hasn’t opened for applications yet. We’ll update this page as soon as we hear more.