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Winter Fuel Payment
The Winter Fuel Payment is now called Winter Heating Payment. It’s a single payment to help people with their fuel bills.
Winter Heating Payment
The Winter Heating Payment is an annual payment to help people with the cost of energy.
It replaced the Winter Fuel Payment in 2025.
Winter Heating Payment is a single payment, paid sometime between December 2026 and February 2027.
This year, the payment is £62.
There are two related payments:
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
Child Winter Heating Assistance
How do I qualify for Winter Heating Payment 2026?
You’ll get Winter Heating Payment based on your circumstances during “qualifying week” (2 November to 8 November 2026). This usually means you’ll need get a certain benefit and meet some other criteria.
These are the benefits and criteria:
Universal credit
If you’re employed/self employed, you’ll need to get the child or young person disability element of Universal Credit.
If you’re not employed/self-employed you’ll need either:
- a limited capability for work element
- a limited capability for work element with a work related activity element
- a child or young person disability element
- a child under five
Pension Credit
If you get Pension Credit there are no extra requirements.
Income Support or Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
You’ll also need to have a child under five or get:
- a disability or severe disability premium
- a pensioner premium
- child disability premium
Income Related Employment Support Allowance
You’ll also need to have either:
- a child under five OR
- be in a support group/work related activity group OR
- get a severe or enhanced disability premium OR
- get a pensioner premium
Support for Mortgage Interest
You’ll also need to have either:
- a child under five OR
- be in a support group/work related activity group OR
- get a severe or enhanced disability premium OR
- get a pensioner premium
How much is the Winter Heating Payment 2026?
For winter 2026/27, the Winter Heating Payment will be £62.
How do I get Winter Heating Payment in 2026?
The Winter Fuel Payment will be paid by Social Security Scotland. It should be paid automatically into your account if you qualify.
When will I get Winter Heating Payment 2026?
If you are eligible you should get the payment automatically and do not need to apply. Social Security Scotland will send a letter or email to let you know you are getting the payment.
The payment can come any time between December 2026 and February 2027.
If you think you’ve missed your Winter Fuel Payment you should get in touch with Social Security Scotland.
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