Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

This advice applies to Scotland. See advice for See advice for England, See advice for Northern Ireland, See advice for Wales

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has replaced Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland in 2024.

What is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is a benefit for adults of State Pension age or over who live in Scotland. It’s paid once a year to help with energy bills in winter. 

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). It replaces Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland.  

Who can get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

You can get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment if: 

You need to have reached State Pension age during or before the qualifying week. The qualifying week is the third full week of September. 

You or your partner must get one of these benefits: 

  • Pension Credit 

  • Universal Credit 

  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 

  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 

  • Income Support 

  • Child Tax Credit 

  • Working Tax Credit. 

When you will not be eligible

You will not be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment if: 

  • you or your partner does not get certain benefits 

  • you have been in hospital getting free treatment for over a year and were in hospital during the qualifying week 

  • you were in prison for the whole of the qualifying week 

  • you have been living in a care home for the qualifying week and for at least 12 weeks prior. 

If you don’t live in Scotland 

If you live elsewhere in the UK, you might be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment instead. Read more about the Winter Fuel Payment on GOV.UK.

If you live in an EEA country or Switzerland, you might be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment if you get certain benefits and have a genuine and sufficient link to Scotland, such as having family in Scotland.  

How much is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment 

The amount of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment you get will depend on your age and the age of any partner you jointly claim a benefit with.  

If you live alone 

You’ll get a payment of £200 if you're over State Pension age but under 80 years old and get a qualifying benefit. 

You’ll get a payment of £300 if you're 80 years or over and get a qualifying benefit.  

If you live with a partner 

If you and your partner jointly claim for a qualifying benefit, you’ll get 1 payment of £200 if you’re both over State Pension age but under 80 years old. 

You’ll get 1 payment of £300 if you or your partner is 80 years or over.  

How to apply 

You do not need to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. You’ll get it automatically if you’re eligible.   

You should get a letter from the DWP telling you that you’ll get a payment. They’ll also tell you which bank account the payment will be paid into.  

When is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment paid 

If you’re eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, you’ll be paid automatically. You should get a letter from the DWP in November. 

Most payments are made in November or December. 

If your circumstances change

You must tell the DWP if your circumstances change – for example, if you: 

  • stop getting a qualifying benefit 

  • move house or into a care home. 

You should check how to contact the DWP about your change of circumstances in the letter you received about your payment.