Regulations laid in the Scottish Parliament last week will help ensure State Pensioners on qualifying means-tested benefits receive financial support with their energy bills this winter. The Scottish Government has confirmed it has ‘taken the difficult decision’ to replicate eligibility criteria for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) to align with Winter Fuel Payments.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has agreed to deliver the devolved heating payment, which is replacing Winter Fuel Payments in Scotland, on behalf of the Scottish Government this year. The Scottish Government said that due to the pressure on timescales for delivery and the budgetary impact of the UK Government’s restriction of Winter Fuel Payment eligibility, it will not be ‘practicable or affordable to expand the eligibility criteria’.
However, it added that the eligibility and scope of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be kept under review to ensure, where possible, that the impact of the benefit is maximised.
Initial analysis suggests that the caseload in Scotland will decrease by around 900,000 in 2024/25 based on current Pension Credit uptake, and will now provide support to more than 125,000 individuals in receipt of Pension Credit and other means-tested benefits. More than 1.1 million Scots pensioners received the payment last winter.
The revised Pension Age Winter Heating Payment regulations will ensure that a person will be eligible for this year’s payment of between £100 and £300 if, during the qualifying week of September 16 – 22, they were of State Pension age, and receiving one of the following relevant benefits:
- Pension Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credits or Child Tax Credits – where the award is not less than £26 in respect of the tax year 2024-25
Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “The UK Government’s decision to restrict eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments was taken without consultation or discussion with the Scottish Government and it has had devastating consequences for our planned launch of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, reducing the fund available for our devolved payment by around £150 million.
“As a result we had to take the difficult decision to mirror this approach in our Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. However, this government will continue to press the UK government to reverse its damaging decision, and we will keep the opportunity for eligibility improvements under review.”
Ms Somerville added: “Despite the UK Government’s determination to continue with austerity, the Scottish Government remains committed to supporting older people and tackling poverty within our limited powers. This includes our Winter Heating Payment which, in contrast to the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment, guarantees a reliable annual payment of £58.75 to people on low-incomes, including those pensioners in receipt of Pension Credit and other relevant benefits each winter.
“Our action to support older people and tackle poverty also includes investment in our Council Tax Reduction Scheme and free bus travel for anyone over the age of 60 in Scotland. In addition, we are providing over £2 million from our Equality and Human Rights Fund, supporting older people’s organisations to help tackle inequality.”
How much Winter Fuel Payment you will receive this year
If you live alone
You will get either:
- £200 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live with someone
If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits, one of you will get a payment of either:
- £200 if both of you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £300 if one or both of you were born before September 23, 1944
If you live in a care home
If you are eligible you will get either:
- £100 if you were born between September 23, 1944 and September 22, 1958
- £150 if you were born before September 23, 1944
Check if you need to claim
If you do not get any of the qualifying means-tested benefits, you need to claim if either of the following apply:
- You have not received the Winter Fuel Payment before
- You or your partner get Universal Credit
How to claim
You can claim Winter Fuel Payment by:
- Post – from September 30, 2024
- Phone – from October 28, 2024
If you get Universal Credit, you will be told how to claim through a message in your journal.
The deadline to make a claim for winter 2024 to 2025 is March 31, 2025. Full details about eligibility and payments can be found on the Winter Fuel Payment section on GOV.UK here.
Pension Credit
Nearly 1.4m older people across Great Britain, including more than 125,000 living in Scotland, are currently receiving the means-tested benefit.
Some older people think because they have savings or own their home they would not be eligible for the means-tested benefit, which can also provide access to help with housing costs, Winter Fuel Payment and Council Tax.
Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a guaranteed minimum level of £218.15 a week for single pensioners or £332.95 for couples. It is a tax-free payment for those who:
- have reached Pension Credit qualifying age, which is State Pension age, and
- live in Great Britain
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support.
New claims for Pension Credit made before December 21, 2024 which later turn out to be successful will also qualify for a backdated Winter Fuel Payment. This is because claims can be backdated by up to three months, taking entitlement to within the September qualifying week.
Quickest way to check eligibility for Pension Credit
Older people, or friends and family, can quickly check their eligibility and get an estimate of what they may receive by using the online Pension Credit calculator on GOV.UK here.
Alternatively, pensioners can contact the Pension Credit helpline directly to make a claim on 0800 99 1234 – lines are open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday.
Expert help and advice is also available from: