Nearly one million pensioners in Scotland are set to receive a one-off heating payment worth up to £316.70 later this year. The payment, known as the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, is delivered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Winter Fuel Payments for people over 66 in Scotland.
The amount each person receives will range between £105.55 and £316.70, depending on age and household living arrangements. Single pensioners aged 80 and over will receive the highest amount from Social Security Scotland.
Eligibility criteria for the one-off payment
To be eligible, individuals must have been born on or before 27 June 1960 and have lived in Scotland on at least the last day of the qualifying week. The qualifying week is not specified in the original report, but the payment is for the winter 2026 to 2027 period.
However, there are several circumstances that would make a person ineligible. You will not qualify if you were in hospital receiving free treatment for the whole qualifying week and the 52 weeks leading up to it, or if you were in custody under a court-imposed sentence for the whole qualifying week. Additionally, if you need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave states you cannot claim public funds, you are also exempt, according to Social Security Scotland.
Residential care and opting out rules
For those living in residential care, you will not be eligible for winter 2026 to 2027 if all the following apply: you were in residential care for the whole qualifying week, you went into care before 29 June 2026, and you received any of these benefits during the qualifying week: Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support, or Universal Credit.
Social Security Scotland has also confirmed that pensioners can choose to opt out of the payment. In a statement, the agency said: "You can choose to opt out of getting Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. If you choose to opt out, you will not get the payment in future years unless you contact us and opt in again."
The agency added: "If you choose to opt out after a decision has been made on your payment, you'll still get a payment for the current winter period. You will not get any payments for winter 2027 to 2028 onwards."
Impact and next steps for pensioners
This payment aims to support older residents with heating costs during the colder months. Eligible pensioners do not need to apply, as the payment is automatic for those who meet the criteria, according to the original report. Those who believe they qualify but have not received the payment by the expected time should contact Social Security Scotland for further guidance.
