The new devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment benefit will be administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and paid automatically to all eligible people in Scotland
The Scottish Government is set to introduce a universal Winter Fuel Payment for over one million pensioners through the newly devolved Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP).
This means that every individual over State Pension age residing in Scotland will receive a one-off heating payment of at least £100 next winter, regardless of whether they are receiving a means-tested benefit like Pension Credit.
The Scottish Government has also confirmed that the annual uprating of benefits on April 1 will apply to PAWHP. As a result, older people on a qualifying income-related benefit aged between 66 and 79 will receive £203.40 (lower rate), while those aged 80 and over will be paid £305.10 (higher rate).
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The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to announce the Winter Fuel Payments for 2025/26, but it’s expected to remain at current levels of £200 and £300, following the same age guidance as PAWHP. Full details about PAWHP can be found on mygov.scot, although the information on the Scottish Government website has not been updated yet for the 2025/26 financial year.
All 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland will receive a letter this month 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. This letter also contains information about Pension Credit, which is the gateway benefit to unlocking other financial support, including higher payments of PAWHP.
The DWP has estimated that across Great Britain, 760,000 people are entitled to Pension Credit but aren’t claiming it. However, there’s still ample time to submit a new claim to increase the amount of PAWHP or Winter Fuel Payment you receive later this year, reports the Daily Record.
The qualifying period for both payments will be the third week in September (15-21, 2025). Given that the DWP takes an average of 50 working days to process new claims, a successful application submitted by mid-July will be eligible for heating bill assistance.
It’s crucial to remember that claims made up until the end of the qualifying week in September, which later prove successful, will also be due the payment, although it may arrive later than the planned delivery schedule. The July date should ensure there’s no waiting on a backdated payment.
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment.
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older individuals, or their friends and family, can swiftly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they might receive using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can directly contact the Pension Credit helpline to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from:
Pension Credit explained
Pension Credit is a benefit that provides additional funds to help with living costs for those over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also grant access to a variety of other benefits.
The benefit boosts income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if an individual has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit, you can also receive other forms of assistance, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law was altered so that a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This implies they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until both partners reach State Pension age. Prior to 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.
Using the Pension Credit Calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
- earnings, benefits and pensions
- savings and investments
You’ll need the same information for your partner if you have one. You will be presented with a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you’ve answered these questions, a summary screen will display your responses, allowing you to go back and amend any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then reveals how much benefit you could receive each week.
All that’s left to do is follow the link to the application page to discover exactly what you’ll get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you provide using the calculator tool to help you fill out the application form quicker without having to search for the same details again. Give the Pension Credit Calculator a go for yourself or a family member to ensure you’re receiving all the financial support you’re entitled to claim.
Who can’t use the Pension Credit calculator?
You can’t use the calculator if you or your partner:
- are deferring your State Pension
- own more than one property
- are self-employed
- have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can begin your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim at any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can receive up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that period.
You will need:
- your National Insurance number
- information about your income, savings and investments
- your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need to provide information about your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
- you have already claimed your State Pension
- there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.
