Pension Age Winter Heating Payment payments begin in Scotland

Social Security Scotland has confirmed that the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will start being issued automatically in November 2026, with around 1.4 million payments set to be made to pensioners in Scotland¹. Eligible pensioners will receive between £105.55 and £316.70, depending on their age and household circumstances¹. Payments will begin from November and continue throughout the winter¹.

Eligibility for this year's payment is based on reaching State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, which ran from 21 to 27 September 2026¹. As the State Pension age is gradually increasing from 66 to 67, people must have been born on or before 27 June 1960 to meet the age requirement¹. The payment is a one-off, tax-free payment made to households in Scotland with someone over State Pension age². Most people do not need to make a claim, as it is usually paid automatically to those getting certain benefits such as Pension Credit, State Pension or Universal Credit².

Payments are issued to all eligible pensioners but are recovered from those with an individual income of over £35,000 by HMRC¹. HMRC has said that customers who received the 2025 Winter Fuel Payment, or Pension Age Winter Heating Payments in Scotland, and are in Self Assessment, will see the payment pre-populated in their 2025 to 2026 online tax return where possible, and payment is due by 31 January 2027³. Customers with a total income over £35,000 will then pay the payment back through their Self Assessment tax bill³.

Some people may need to make a claim, including those who did not get a Winter Fuel Payment last year, those who have deferred their State Pension since last winter, and couples with a joint claim for Pension Credit or Universal Credit where the main person is under State Pension age². The scheme opened in October 2026, and for winter 2026/27 claims must be sent and arrive by 31 March 2027². Claims can be made by phone on 0800 182 2222, Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, or by post to Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, PO Box 10326, Dundee, DD1 9HB². Claimants will need their national insurance number, the date of their marriage or civil partnership and their bank details, and must say if they were in hospital, a residential care home or in prison during the qualifying week of 21 to 27 September².

Separate Scottish payments are also being made. Child Winter Heating Payment supports households with disabled children and young people who have the highest care needs in the winter months, and this year payments started from the week commencing 5 October¹. Winter Heating Payment is a guaranteed, annual payment for low-income households in receipt of certain benefits, paid irrespective of temperature, unlike the UK Government's Cold Weather Payment; payments will begin from December¹.

Why it matters for households

The payment is automatic for most eligible pensioners in Scotland, so no application is needed where someone already receives Pension Credit, State Pension or Universal Credit². The amount varies with age and household circumstances, so the £316.70 figure will not apply to everyone¹. Pensioners with an individual income above £35,000 receive the payment but have it recovered through HMRC, usually via Self Assessment or a changed tax code³. The £35,000 test is based on individual income, not household income⁴. The deadline to opt out of receiving a payment for winter 2026/27 has already passed⁴.

What happens next

Payments continue throughout the winter rather than all arriving in November¹. Claims for winter 2026/27 must arrive by 31 March 2027². Those in Self Assessment who received the payment have until 31 January 2027 to file and pay any tax due³. Skint Dad reports that people in Scotland should contact Social Security Scotland if their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment has not arrived by the start of March 2027⁴. Full details of the Pension Age, Child and Winter Heating Payments in Scotland are set out separately, and the Winter Fuel Payment rules for England, Wales and Northern Ireland differ, as do those for the Cold Weather Payment.