Pension Age Winter Heating Payment - Can I get a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?

All pensioners in Scotland will receive a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment during winter 2026/27, unless you choose to opt out.  

You will be eligible if: 

• You were born before 28 June 1960, and  
• You lived in Scotland for at least the last day of the 'qualifying week', which is 21 to 27 September 2026 

If your annual income is more than £35,000, you will have to pay back your Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. This will be done by HMRC after the payment has been made.  

Opting out of the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment  

You can opt out of receiving a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment by completing an online form by 19 October 2026. You’ll need to provide personal details including your national insurance number .  

If you want to opt in after you have already opted out, you should contact Social Security Scotland. You will not receive a payment in future years until you opt in again. 

Some people might prefer to receive the payment instead of opting out, to cover the extra costs in the winter months.  

Repaying if your income is above £35,000 

You will not be eligible for a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment if your annual income is more than £35,000. HMRC will recover the amount paid by changing your tax code in the 2027 to 2028 tax year . If you submit a Self-Assessment tax return, it will be added to your 2026 to 2027 tax year .  

You can check if your income is over the threshold on the Scottish government’s website.  

If you live abroad  

If you live outside of Scotland, you are not eligible for a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.  

If you live in a care home  

If you live in a care home and the following conditions apply, you will not be eligible for a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment:  

• You got Pension Credit or Universal Credit during the qualifying week 
• You have lived in a care home full time before 29 June 2026 
• You were in a care home for the whole qualifying week   

Hospital and prison  

If you were in hospital getting free treatment during the whole qualifying, and the 52 weeks before, you will not be eligible for a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. 

You will not be eligible if you were in prison for the whole qualifying week or need permission to enter the UK and your leave says you cannot access public funds.