Money Matters Advice Service

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment

The Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the UK Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland from winter 2025.

It is a shared payment for a household and is paid by Social Security Scotland.

Who can get it?

You may be eligible if, during the qualifying week (usually the 3rd week in September), you:

live in Scotland
were born on or before 21 September 1959
have an individual annual taxable income of £35,000 or less

How will I be paid?

Most people do not need to apply.

You’ll get a letter from November confirming your payment
The money will be paid into the same bank account as your State Pension or other Social Security Scotland benefits

What if my income is more than £35,000?

If your individual annual taxable income is over £35,000, you can choose not to receive the payment by calling 0800 182 2222.

If you do not opt out and HMRC later say your income is over £35,000, the payment will need to be paid back through increasing the tax you pay the following financial year.

What counts as taxable income?

This can include:

State Retirement Pension
private or workplace pensions
earnings from work or self-employment
income from a trust
interest from savings
Industrial Death Benefit pensions
contribution‑based Employment and Support Allowance
contribution‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance
Carer Support Payment (if you receive money)

What if I don’t get paid automatically?

You may need to apply if:

You have deferred your State Pension, or you are part of a couple where your partner was born after 21 September 1959, and your partner is the main claimant of:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income Support
Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance
Income‑based Jobseeker’s Allowance

If you need to apply, you must do so by 31 March to claim for the previous year.

Find out how to apply.

How much will I get?

There are two rates, depending on your date of birth.

Lower rate if:

you are single and born on or before 21 September 1959
you are part of a couple and at least one of you was born on or before 21 September 1959

Higher rate if:

you are single and born before 22 September 1945
you are part of a couple and at least one of you was born before 22 September 1945

Who cannot get the payment?

You cannot get this payment if, during the qualifying week, you are:

in hospital for 52 weeks or more and getting free treatment
serving a custodial prison sentence
living in a care home or independent hospital since June before the qualifying week and receiving Pension Credit, Universal Credit, or Income‑related Employment and Support Allowance

Check if you’re eligible

You can use the eligibility checker to see:

whether you qualify
how much you may get

Help with energy bills or the cost of living

If you are struggling with your energy bills or the cost of living, there may be more help available through our Money Matters Advice Service or South Lanarkshire's Citizen Advice Bureau.

Money Matters Advice Service

You can contact the Money Matters Advice Service by completing our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can contact us using the contact details shown on this page.

Citizens Advice Bureau

The links below provide details of your local Citizens Advice Bureau and contact details.