How Pension Age Winter Heating Payment works
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment helps people of pension age who receive certain benefits pay their heating bills. It replaces Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland and has the same eligibility rules. In winter 2024, the payment will be paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
It's a tax-free payment of either £200 or £300 that's paid once a year.
To get the payment, you need to:
- be born before 23 September 1958
- live in Scotland, or an eligible country abroad
- get certain other benefits
Find out whether you might be eligible.
Most eligible people will get the payment automatically. It’s paid directly into your bank account.
If you're eligible
You’ll get a letter in November or December telling you how much you’ll be paid. Most payments will be made in December 2024.
You do not need to do anything
Most people will get the payment automatically.
A small number of people might need to claim Pension Age Winter Heating Payment from DWP.
Check if you need to contact DWP to claim.
Why Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is replacing Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland
The Scottish Government now has its own social security system, Social Security Scotland. This means certain DWP benefits are being replaced with new benefits in Scotland.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment:
- replaces DWP’s Winter Fuel Payment for people in Scotland
- has the same eligibility rules as Winter Fuel Payment
- will still be paid by DWP in winter 2024
- will be paid by Social Security Scotland from winter 2025
Cost of Living payments not extended to winter 2024
For the past 2 years, Winter Fuel Payment has been a payment of between £250 and £600. This is because it included an extra payment of £150 or £300. This extra amount was paid by DWP and called the ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’.
Read more about the Pensioner Cost of Living Payment on GOV.UK.
From winter 2024, these extra payments will stop for everyone across the UK. This includes people in Scotland who get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Other help with heating costs
You might also be eligible for:
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