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Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for all people over State Pension age in Scotland<\/p>\nPensioners in Scotland will receive between \u00a3100 and \u00a3305 through a new devolved annual heating payment.Winter Fuel Payments to be reinstated for all people over State Pension age in Scotland<\/p>\n
The Scottish Government will introduce a universal Winter Fuel Payment later this year for more than one million pensioners through the new, devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment<\/a> (PAWHP).<\/p>\n This means that every person over State Pension<\/a> age living in Scotland will receive a one-off heating payment of at least \u00a3100 this winter – even if they are not in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit.<\/p>\n The Scottish Government has also increased the benefit by 1.7 per cent, as part of the annual uprating exercise. This means that older people on a qualifying income-related benefit aged between 66 and 79 will receive \u00a3203.40 (lower rate), while those aged 80 and over will be paid \u00a3305.10 (higher rate).<\/p>\n READ MORE: New call for Council Tax discount for all people over State Pension age<\/a>READ MORE: Up to \u00a3374 one-off payments for people over State Pension age due this year<\/a><\/p>\n Winter Fuel Payments for 2025\/26 have not yet been announced by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but are expected to remain at current levels of \u00a3200 and \u00a3300, the amount following the same age guidance as PAWHP.<\/p>\n Full details about PAWHP can be found on mygov.scot here<\/a>, just be aware the information on the Scottish Government website has not been updated yet for the 2025\/26 financial year.<\/p>\n All 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland will receive a letter before the end of April from the DWP explaining the annual uprating to the State Pension and how much they can expect every four weeks over the 2025\/26 financial year.<\/p>\n Not having the letter will not affect the uprating, the new payment rates are applied automatically.<\/p>\n The letter also contains information about Pension Credit, which is the gateway benefit to unlocking other financial support, including higher payments of PAWHP.<\/p>\n The DWP estimates that 760,000 people across Great Britain are entitled to Pension Credit<\/a>, but not claiming it. But the good news is there is plenty of time to put in a new claim to boost the amount of PAWHP or Winter Fuel Payment you receive later this year.<\/p>\n The qualifying period for both payments will be the third week in September (possibly 15-21, 2025) and with DWP taking on average 50 working days to process new claims, an application submitted by mid-July which later turns out to be successful, will be entitled to the heating bill help.<\/p>\n It\u2019s important to note that clams made up until the end of the qualifying week in September, which later turn out to be successful, will also be due the payment but it may arrive later than the planned delivery schedule. The date in July should ensure there\u2019s no waiting on a backdated payment.<\/p>\n An award of just \u00a31 per week is enough to unlock other support, including the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment.<\/p>\n Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit<\/p>\n Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.<\/a><\/p>\n Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.<\/p>\n Expert help and advice is also available from:<\/strong><\/p>\n Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.<\/p>\n Pension Credit in a nutshell<\/p>\n Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.<\/p>\n The benefit tops up income to a minimum of \u00a3227.10 per week for single pensioners and \u00a3346.60 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.<\/a><\/p>\n Other help if you get Pension Credit<\/p>\n If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:<\/p>\n Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit<\/p>\n In May 2019, the law changed so a \u2018mixed age couple\u2019 – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a \u2018working age\u2019 couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.<\/p>\n This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.<\/p>\n How to use the Pension Credit calculator<\/p>\n To use the calculator on GOV.UK<\/a>, you will need details of:<\/p>\n You\u2019ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.<\/p>\n This includes:<\/strong><\/p>\n Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.<\/p>\n All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.<\/p>\n There\u2019s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator<\/a> for yourself or your family member to make sure you\u2019re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.<\/p>\n Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?<\/p>\n You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:<\/p>\n How to make a claim<\/p>\n You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.<\/p>\n This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.<\/p>\n You will need:<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re backdating your claim, you\u2019ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.<\/p>\n Apply online<\/p>\n You can use the online service if:<\/p>\n To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here<\/a> to find out how much you could get.<\/p>\n Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group<\/a> for money-saving tips, the latest State Pension and benefits news, energy bill advice and cost of living updates.<\/p>\n Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday with a special cost of living edition every Thursday – sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n You can also follow us on X<\/strong> (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_<\/a> for regular updates throughout the day or get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n
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