Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland

The Scottish Government recently announced that the Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland will be means-tested this winter. This follows a similar change to eligibility in England and Wales that has delayed the introduction of Scotland's replacement benefit, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) until winter 2025/2026.

For this winter, the Department for Work and Pensions has committed to make payments to eligible pensioners in Scotland on the same terms as Winter Fuel Payments in England and Wales.

Those born before 23 September 1958 could receive either £200 or £300 to help towards their heating bills and must be in receipt of one of the following:

• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Child Tax Credit
• Working Tax Credit

For more information on help with energy costs please see:

Help with energy bills - mygov.scot

Think you don’t qualify?

If you think you don’t qualify for Pension Credits because your pension income is too high, please remember that you can qualify even if you are above the threshold if you have a disability or illness.  For example, if you receive Attendance Allowance, the threshold increases by £82 a week.

If you would like help working out if you’re entitled to more than you’re currently claiming, or if you’d like to chat about any concerns you have about paying your bills this winter, our Money & Home Energy Adviser, Andrew is available to help.  You can request a call from Andrew by filling in the Help form in your My Home account, or have a chat with your Housing Officer, who can refer you.