Around 400,000 people in Scotland received the one-off payment last winter. The focus has been firmly fixed on Winter Fuel Payments since Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced that the annual lump sum will no longer be made universally to everyone over State Pension age, but instead only be issued to those over 66 also in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit. Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) is set to replace Winter Fuel Payments for more than one million older people living in Scotland later this year.
However, no announcement has been made yet on whether the Scottish Government will adopt Westminster’s new rule change, or provide the payment to all pensioners. Even if the Scottish Government can't find the estimated £160 million to cover the costs of providing PAWHP to all Scots pensioners, low income households will receive a one-off payment of £58.75 from mid-December to help with higher heating bills.
Around 400,000 eligible households are due to receive the money this winter. The devolved benefit is only available in Scotland and replaced the £25 Cold Weather Payment delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) two years ago. Unlike the DWP benefit, it is not dependent on a sustained period of cold weather in a specific location but is an annual, one-off payment made no matter the temperature.
The majority of people eligible for the Winter Heating Payment during the qualifying week of November 4-10, will receive the payment automatically, with no need to apply. Guidance on mygov.scot explains that Social Security Scotland expects to pay the majority of eligible people by the end of February 2025.
It adds that people who are eligible for the payment will receive a letter before the money lands in their bank account. Full details about the payment can be found on the mygov.scot website here .
Below is an overview of the eligibility criteria for the payment and qualifying benefits. Your eligibility for Winter Heating Payment is assessed by Social Security Scotland. They look at: Households on these benefits will be eligible, if they are in receipt of the benefit during the qualifying week: Guidance states that you will usually get the £55.
05 Winter Heating Payment if you’re not employed or self-employed and also have one of the following: You should get the £58.75 Winter Heating Payment if you’re employed or self-employed and get a child or young person disability element. If you are receiving payments through Pension Credit during the qualifying week (November 4-10), you should receive the £58.
75 Winter Heating Payment. You should get the £58.75 Winter Heating Payment if you get Income based Jobseeker's Allowance or Income Support and have any of the following: Or receive child disability premium within: You should get the £58.
75 Winter Heating Payment if you receive Income Related Employment Support Allowance and have any of the following: You should get the £58.75 Winter Heating Payment if you receive Support for Mortgage Interest and have any of the following: the disability element of Child Tax Credit Payments for winter 2024/25 will start in the middle of December with the majority of eligible households receiving the payment before the end of February 2025. If you are eligible, you will receive a letter from Social Security Scotland before they make the payment.
Join the conversation on our Money Saving Scotland Facebook group for money-saving tips, the latest benefits news, energy updates and the ongoing cost of living crisis. Sign up to our Record Money newsletter and get the top stories sent to your inbox daily from Monday to Friday, including a special cost of living edition on a Thursday - sign up here . You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @Recordmoney_ for regular updates throughout the day.
You can also get money news alerts on your phone by joining our Daily Record Money WhatsApp community ..
