Pension Age Winter Heating Payment expected to launch in Scotland

The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaced the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland, with the new benefit expected to launch in November 2025¹. The Scottish Government brought forward legislation for the payment, which was linked to Pension Credit and other qualifying benefits². It is a one-off, tax-free payment made to households in Scotland with someone over State Pension age³.

The payment is made automatically to most eligible people, with payments beginning in November 2025 and continuing through the winter³. For winter 2026/27, most eligible people will be paid automatically from November 2026⁴. The Scottish Government announced that Pension Age Winter Heating Payments will be paid at a slightly higher rate than Winter Fuel Payments and will also be recovered through the tax system in the same way². People with total yearly income over £35,000 will have the payment recovered by HMRC⁴.

Rates for 2026/27 depend on age, who the claimant lives with and whether they receive certain benefits. The qualifying week is 21 to 27 September 2026³.

Circumstance	Amount
Living alone, born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960	£211.15³
Living alone, born before 28 September 1946	£316.70³
Couple with joint benefit claim, both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960	£203.40³
Couple with joint benefit claim, one or both born before 28 September 1946	£316.70³
Couple not receiving benefits, both born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960	£105.55³
Couple not receiving benefits, both born before 28 September 1946	£158.35³
Care home resident since before 29 June 2026, born 28 September 1946 to 27 June 1960	£105.55³
Care home resident since before 29 June 2026, born before 28 September 1946	£158.35³

The payment does not count as income when working out entitlement to other benefits³. It is paid into the bank or building society account where State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefits are normally paid, and appears on statements as "PAWHP"³. Anyone not paid by 1 March 2027 should contact Social Security Scotland³.

"Last winter was the first year of the new Pension Age Winter Heating Payment."

Turn2us, Energy Schemes⁵

Why it matters for households

The payment affects households in Scotland with someone over State Pension age. For winter 2026/27, eligibility covers people born on or before 27 June 1960⁴. The amount received depends on age, living arrangements and benefit receipt, ranging from £105.55 to £316.70³. People with total yearly income above £35,000 will have the payment recovered through HMRC⁴. The payment is not counted as income for other benefit calculations³.

The wider winter support landscape has also changed. In England and Wales, Winter Fuel Payments were linked to Pension Credit or other qualifying income-related benefits for winter 2024 to 2025, before being made to all pensioners from winter 2025 to 2026, with recovery through the tax system for those with taxable income over £35,000 who are not on Pension Credit or other qualifying benefits². The Household Support Fund ended on 31 March 2025¹ and was replaced in England and Wales by the Crisis and Resilience Fund⁵.

What happens next

Eligible people should receive a letter in October or November telling them how much they will get³. Payments for winter 2026/27 are expected to be made automatically from November 2026⁴. Anyone not paid by 1 March 2027 should contact Social Security Scotland³. The deadline to make a claim for the 2024/25 Winter Fuel Payment was 31 March 2025¹.

Sources5 cited