Pensioners encouraged to make the most of winter heating help

People who have not yet received their Pension Age Winter Heating Payment this winter are being encouraged to apply to receive support.

The payment, which helps with the cost of heating your home in the colder winter months, has been made automatically to the vast majority of people over the age of 66, with over 1,009,000 payments made by 24 January.

Pensioners in Scotland who have not opted out will receive a payment of between £101.70 and £305.10.

However, some in this age group will need to apply for the benefit. People who deferred their State Pension since they were last paid Pension Age Winter Heating Payment or the Winter Fuel Payment will need to apply.

People over State Pension age who are part of a couple with a joint award for Pension Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income Support or Universal Credit where the main person getting that benefit is under State Pension age will also need to apply. For example, if the named person on the joint award of Pension Credit is aged 63 and their partner is 68, the 68-year-old will be eligible for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment but will need to apply. 

Those who are eligible and haven’t automatically received the payment can apply by phone or by post. The deadline to apply for winter 2025 to 2026 is 31 March 2026.

Applicants can call Social Security Scotland free on 0800 182 2222 to apply for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment over the phone or to request a paper application form. Opening times are Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.

Before calling, applicants will need to know their National Insurance number, their bank or building society details, where they lived during the qualifying week (15 to 21 September 2025) and what benefits they got during this period.