Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) is financial support for older people living in Scotland during the winter months. It is an annual payment to help to pay for heating.
Introduced in 2024, the payment replaces Winter Fuel Payment which still exists in England and Wales. For its first winter, it continued to be paid by the Department of Work and Pensions, but Social Security Scotland is taking over for the winter of 2025/26.
Page contents
- How much is the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
- Who can get the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
- When will PAWHP replace Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?
- Can I claim both PAWHP and Winter Fuel Payment?
- Can I claim if I live in a care home?
- When is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment paid?
- How do I apply for PAWHP?
- How do I opt out of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment Scotland?
Page contents
- How much is the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
- Who can get the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
- When will PAWHP replace Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?
- Can I claim both PAWHP and Winter Fuel Payment?
- Can I claim if I live in a care home?
- When is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment paid?
- How do I apply for PAWHP?
- How do I opt out of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment Scotland?
How much is the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
PAWHP is a payment of either £203.40 or £305.10, depending on your age during the ‘qualifying week’.
The qualifying week is 12-21 September 2025.
- If you were over 80 years old during this week, you get £305.10
- For those aged 66-79 during this week, you get £203.40.
If you and your partner are both of eligible age, you will only receive one payment.
Who can get the Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
The payment was originally going to be at least £100 for every pensioner in Scotland.
On 1 July 2025 it was announced that the payment would no longer be universal.
Instead it will now just be for people with an income of less that £35,000 a year.
Eligibility criteria for PAWHP are that you:
- Live in Scotland (or an eligible overseas country)
- Were aged 66 or above during the qualifying week
- Have an annual income of £35,000 or less
In the case that you feel you don’t need the money then you can choose to opt out. Your share can then go to charity or back to the government.
You can check if you are eligible on mygov.scot.
When will PAWHP replace Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?
The Winter Fuel Payment was replaced by the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) in the winter of 2024/25.
Payments began in late 2024.
Can I claim both PAWHP and Winter Fuel Payment?
You cannot claim both Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and Winter Fuel Payment together. PAWHP replaced Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland, so people living in Scotland are no longer entitled to claim Winter Fuel Payment.
Can I claim if I live in a care home?
If you live in a care home in Scotland, you can only claim PAWHP if you moved into the care home later than 24 June 2024.
When is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment paid?
If you are eligible for PAWHP, you will automatically receive the payment. You should get a letter from Social Security Scotland in November.
Most payments will be made in November or December.
How do I apply for PAWHP?
You don’t need to apply for PAWHP. If you are eligible, you will receive the money automatically from December.
If you believe you have been underpaid, or not paid your due, you can contact Social Security Scotland.
How do I opt out of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment Scotland?
The online form to opt out for this winter (2025-26) closed in October, but you can still opt out by telephone.
You can call Social Security Scotland, the number is 0800 182 2222.
Once you’ve opted out, you won’t get payments in future years either, unless you opt in again by phoning Social Security Scotland.
