Winter heating payment reminder for pensioners
Winter heating payment reminder for pensioners
People of State Pension age are being reminded that they will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from Social Security Scotland this winter.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced the Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland. Most people will receive the payment automatically – no action is needed.
The payment of between £101.70 and £305.10 will be made to most eligible people from November 2025. It will be paid into the same bank account as their State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefit.
Who qualifies
To be eligible this winter, residents must have been born on or before 21 September 1959 and lived in Scotland during the qualifying week of 15-21 September 2025. The payment amount depends on age, household circumstances, and whether certain benefits are received.
It is estimated that over 1 million pensioners in Scotland will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. However, around 169,000 people will have it recovered through the tax system if they do not opt out.
Pensioners with a taxable annual income over £35,000 will have the payment taken back through their tax code or Self Assessment Tax return by HMRC. Those in this position may choose to opt out of receiving the payment, to avoid the tax recovery process.
A small number of people may need to apply for the payment, including people who have deferred their state pension.
David Wallace, Chief Executive of Social Security Scotland said: “This payment ensures pensioners receive vital support during the winter months. It’s important to highlight that most people do not need to do anything and will receive this payment automatically.
“There is an eligibility checker online that can help residents find out if they will get the payment and how much they are likely to receive. Social Security Scotland will begin sending letters to everyone who will receive a payment from November.
“Those earning over £35,000 may prefer to opt out of receiving the payment and can do this online until 10 October.”
Getting help
For more information on Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and to access the online eligibility checker visit mygov.scot/pensionheating
The online form for opting out is available on the website until midday on 10 October 2025. From 13 October people can opt out by contacting Social Security Scotland directly.
Background:
For more information about the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, including the eligibility checker and how to opt-out visit mygov.scot/pensionheating
Subject to Parliamentary approval, payments will start from November 2025 and continue throughout the winter.
The online form for opting out of the payment will close at midday on Friday 10 October. To opt out after this date you can contact Social Security Scotland directly from Monday 13 October.
Once opted out, residents will not receive payments in future years unless they choose to opt back in.
Payments will be identifiable on bank statements with the reference code 'PAWHP'
A small number of people will need to apply, these include people who have deferred their state pension or are a couple with 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 under State Pension age.. Find out more on this at Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - mygov.scot
The Scottish Fiscal Commission have forecast that around 1.055 million payments will be made in winter 2025-26, with the number of payments recovered estimated to be 169,000. Fiscal Update: August 2025
Number of residents of pensionable age for each local authority area can be found via the National Records of Scotland report for Mid-2024 estimates
The public should beware of scams around winter heating payments. Social Security Scotland will not request any personal information to be shared via email or text message.