The Scottish Government recently confirmed that every person over State Pension age living in Scotland will receive a one-off heating payment of at least £100 next winter. More than one million pensioners will receive financial help from the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) to cover higher energy bills during the colder months of 2025/26 – even if they are not in receipt of a means-tested benefit such as Pension Credit.
However, the Scottish Government has also announced that the annual uprating of benefits in April will also apply to PAWHP, which means older people on a qualifying income-related benefit aged between 66 and 79 will receive £203.40 (lower rate), while those aged 80 and over will be paid £305.10 (higher rate). Winter Fuel Payments for 2025/26 have not yet been announced by the DWP, but are expected to remain at current levels of £200 and £300, the amount following the same age guidance as PAWHP.
Full details about PAWHP can be found on mygov.scot here, just be aware the information on the Scottish Government website has not been updated yet for the 2025/26 financial year.
But let’s focus on boosting the base rate £100 payment that 1.1 million pensioners in Scotland will receive later this year and the simplest way to do it is to clam Pension Credit.
The DWP estimates that 760,000 people across Great Britain are entitled to Pension Credit, but not claiming it. But the good news is there is plenty of time to put in a new claim to boost the amount of PAWHP or Winter Fuel Payment you receive later this year.
The qualifying period for both payments will be the third week in September (15-21, 2025) and with DWP taking on average 50 working days to process new claims, an application submitted by mid-July which later turns out to be successful, will be entitled to the heating bill help.
It’s important to note that clams made up until the end of the qualifying week in September, which later turn out to be successful, will also be due the payment but it may arrive later than the planned delivery schedule. The date in July should ensure there’s no waiting on a backdated payment.
An award of just £1 per week is enough to unlock other support, including the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment.
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:
Below is an overview of the benefit including who should check eligibility, how to go about it and how much you could get.
Pension Credit in a nutshell
Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they are over State Pension age and on a low income. It can also provide access to a range of other benefits.
The benefit tops up income to a minimum of £218.15 per week for single pensioners and £332.95 for couples – more if a person has a disability or caring responsibilities.
Other help if you get Pension Credit
If you qualify for Pension Credit you can also get other help, such as:
- Housing Benefit if you rent the property you live in
- Support for Mortgage Interest if you own the property you live in
- Council Tax discount
- Free TV licence if you are aged 75 or over
- Help with NHS dental treatment, glasses and transport costs for hospital appointments
- Help with your heating costs through the Warm Home Discount Scheme, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment and Winter Fuel Payment
- A discount on the Royal Mail redirection service if you are moving house
Mixed aged older couples and Pension Credit
In May 2019, the law changed so a ‘mixed age couple’ – a couple where one partner is of State Pension age and the other is under it – are considered to be a ‘working age’ couple when checking entitlement to means-tested benefits.
This means they cannot claim Pension Credit or pension age Housing Benefit until they are both State Pension age. Before this DWP change, a mixed age couple could be eligible to claim the more generous State Pension age benefits when just one of them reached State Pension age.
How to use the Pension Credit calculator
To use the calculator on GOV.UK, you will need details of:
-
earnings, benefits and pensions
-
savings and investments
You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. You will be presented by a series of questions with multiple choice answer options.
This includes:
- Your date of birth
- Your residential status
- Where in the UK you live
- Whether you are registered blind
- Which benefits you currently receive
- How much you receive each week for any benefits you get
- Whether someone is paid Carer’s Allowance to look after you
- How much you get each week from pensions – State Pension, private and work pensions
- Any employment earnings
- Any savings, investments or bonds you have
Once you have answered these questions, a summary screen shows your responses, allowing you to go back and change any answers before submitting. The Pension Credit calculator then displays how much benefit you could receive each week.
All you have to do then is follow the link to the application page to find out exactly what you will get from the DWP, including access to other financial support.
There’s also an option to print off the answers you give using the calculator tool to help you complete the application form quicker without having to look out the same details again. Try the Pension Credit Calculator for yourself or your family member to make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are entitled to claim.
Who cannot use the Pension Credit calculator?
You cannot use the calculator if you or your partner:
-
are deferring your State Pension
-
own more than one property
-
are self employed
-
have housing costs (such as service charges or Crown Tenant rent) which are neither mortgage repayments nor rent covered by Housing Benefit
How to make a claim
You can start your application up to four months before you reach State Pension age. You can claim any time after you reach State Pension age but your claim can only be backdated for three months.
This means you can get up to three months of Pension Credit in your first payment if you were eligible during that time.
You will need:
-
your National Insurance number
-
information about your income, savings and investments
-
your bank account details, if you’re applying by phone or by post
If you’re backdating your claim, you’ll need details of your income, savings and investments on the date you want your claim to start.
Apply online
You can use the online service if:
-
you have already claimed your State Pension
-
there are no children or young people included in your claim
To check your entitlement, phone the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 99 1234 or use the GOV.UK Pension Credit calculator here to find out how much you could get.