Aged 72, living alone, no benefits
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment likely: £211.15.
Money · Scotland winter 2026/27
Scotland Winter Heating Payment checker 2026/27
Scotland has no Winter Fuel Payment. Instead, Winter Heating Payment is £62 for people on certain means-tested benefits, and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is £105.55 to £316.70 for people born on or before 27 June 1960. Answer the questions below for an estimate.
£62.00Winter Heating Payment; PAWHP is £105.55 to £316.70
Check both Scottish winter payments for 2026/27
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Part 1 covers Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (qualifying week 21 to 27 September 2026). Part 2 covers Winter Heating Payment (qualifying week 2 to 8 November 2026). Answer both parts: you can be checked for each.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment likely: £211.15
- Winter Heating Payment: not on these answers. You told us you do not get a qualifying benefit, so Winter Heating Payment would not apply on these answers.
- Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: likely £211.15 (once a year, qualifying week 21 to 27 September 2026; official range £105.55 to £316.70). Letters are sent from November 2026. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC takes it back.
- An estimate from mygov.scot's published rules. Social Security Scotland decides, and most people are paid without applying.
Worked answers
Five worked answers
The people are made-up illustrations. Each button loads the answers into the checker above.
Aged 83, living alone, on Pension Credit
You may get both payments.
Aged 83 living with a person aged 80 or over who got no benefits
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment likely: £158.35.
Aged 45, Universal Credit, not working, limited capability for work element
Winter Heating Payment likely: £62.00.
Couple with a joint award: one aged 70, the other aged 82
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment likely: £316.70.
At a glance
Winter Heating Payment compared with Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
From mygov.scot, opened 29 October 2026.
| Detail | Winter Heating Payment (WHP) | Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | People getting certain means-tested benefits, of any age | People born on or before 27 June 1960 who lived in Scotland |
| Qualifying week | 2 to 8 November 2026 | 21 to 27 September 2026 |
| Amount | £62.00 | £105.55 to £316.70, by age and household |
| Payment timing | Paid from December and through winter | Paid once a year; letters sent from November 2026 |
| Do you apply? | Automatic if you get a qualifying benefit | Most people are paid automatically; a small number need to apply |
| Tax | No clawback mentioned on mygov.scot | HMRC takes it back if your own income is over £35,000 |
mygov.scot: Winter Heating Payment; mygov.scot: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
How much PAWHP you might get in 2026/27
| Your situation in the qualifying week | Amount |
|---|---|
| Alone or nobody else eligible: aged 66 years 3 months to 79 | £211.15 |
| Alone or nobody else eligible: aged 80 or over | £316.70 |
| With an eligible person who got no benefits: you 66 to 79 (either age of other person) | £105.55 |
| With an eligible person who got no benefits: you 80 or over, other person 66 to 79 | £211.15 |
| With an eligible person who got no benefits: you 80 or over, other person 80 or over | £158.35 |
| Partner with a joint benefit award: both 66 to 79, or one 66 to 79 and the other under 66 years 3 months | £211.15 |
| Partner with a joint benefit award: either aged 80 or over | £316.70 |
| Residential care (went in before 29 June 2026): aged 66 to 79 / 80 or over | £105.55 / £158.35 |
mygov.scot: how much you might be paid. Age is your age in the qualifying week.
Winter Heating Payment
Which benefits qualify for Winter Heating Payment
You need to have received a qualifying benefit at any point in the qualifying week, 2 to 8 November 2026, and the benefit must include certain elements:
- Pension Credit: qualifying for it is enough.
- Universal Credit: if you are employed or self-employed, a child or young person disability element. If you are not working, a limited capability for work element (with or without a work-related activity element), a child or young person disability element, or a child under 5.
- Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance: a child under 5, or a disability premium, severe disability premium, pensioner premium or child disability premium.
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance: a child under 5, the support group or work-related activity group, a severe or enhanced disability premium, or a pensioner premium.
- Support for Mortgage Interest: a child under 5, or a disability premium, pensioner premium or child disability premium.
Social Security Scotland pays it automatically, so you do not apply. If you think you missed a payment, they will look at your data again, or you can send them a request. mygov.scot: make a request.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
Who can get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment
You 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, Monday 21 to Sunday 27 September 2026. You are not eligible if you were in hospital getting free treatment for the whole qualifying week and the 52 weeks before it, in custody under a court sentence for the whole week, or if your leave to enter the UK says you cannot claim public funds.
Residential care: you are not eligible if you were in residential care for the whole week, went in before 29 June 2026, and got Pension Credit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Income Support or Universal Credit that week. If you went into care on or after 29 June 2026, your payment is based on your situation before you went in.
It is paid into the account that receives your State Pension or any Social Security Scotland benefits. If your own income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back; joint income over £35,000 does not trigger this. mygov.scot: check if you are eligible.
Rest of the UK
Why Scotland does not have Winter Fuel Payment or Cold Weather Payment
Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payment are not paid to people living in Scotland. The Scottish Government's two payments replace them. If you live in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, use these instead: Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27 checker and the Cold Weather Payment 2026/27 checker. Pension Credit unlocks Winter Heating Payment in Scotland: see the Pension Credit calculator 2026/27.
Related
More winter and benefit checks.
Winter Fuel Payment 2026/27 checker
Born on or before 27 June 1960? Check whether you get £100 to £300 this winter and whether HMRC takes it back above £35,000.
Cold Weather Payment 2026/27 checker
£25 for each 7-day freeze from 1 November 2026: check whether your benefit qualifies and where Scotland differs.
Pension Credit calculator 2026/27
Estimate the weekly Guarantee Credit top-up from £238 (single) or £363.25 (couple), with extras and the savings rule.
April 2027 benefits increase forecast
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, PIP, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance from April 2027, worked out from September 2026 CPI of 3.5%. A forecast until DWP confirms.
State Pension increase 2027 calculator
The triple lock gives 3.9% for April 2027: see your new weekly, 4-weekly, monthly and yearly State Pension.
Helpful answers
Scottish winter payments FAQs.
Can I get Winter Fuel Payment in Scotland?
No. Winter Fuel Payment is not paid to people living in Scotland. Scotland has Pension Age Winter Heating Payment for people born on or before 27 June 1960, and Winter Heating Payment for people on certain means-tested benefits.
How much is Winter Heating Payment in Scotland?
mygov.scot says the current payment is £62.00. It is paid from December and through winter, automatically, if you received a qualifying benefit in the qualifying week of 2 to 8 November 2026.
How much is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
Between £105.55 and £316.70, depending on your age in the qualifying week and who you live with. For example, it is £211.15 for someone aged 66 years 3 months to 79 living alone and £316.70 for someone aged 80 or over living alone.
What is the qualifying week for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
Monday 21 to Sunday 27 September 2026. You must have been born on or before 27 June 1960 and lived in Scotland on at least the last day of that week.
When will I be paid Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
It is paid once a year. mygov.scot says letters are being sent from November 2026 but does not give a payment date on the pages used here, so check your letter or contact Social Security Scotland.
Do I have to pay tax on Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?
If your own total income is over £35,000, HMRC will take the payment back. Joint income over £35,000 does not trigger this.
Do I need to apply?
Usually not. Winter Heating Payment is automatic if you get a qualifying benefit, and most people get Pension Age Winter Heating Payment without applying. A small number need to apply, and mygov.scot has a page to check.
Sources, opened 29 October 2026: mygov.scot, Winter Heating Payment; WHP eligibility; mygov.scot, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment; PAWHP eligibility; PAWHP amounts. A guide, not a benefit decision: Social Security Scotland decides.