Up until now, all pensioners have been eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment scheme. From this year (2024), pensioners will need to receive pension credit or other specific benefits to qualify.
Winter Fuel Payment was scheduled to become a devolved issue in September 2024. Scotland plan to replace Winter Fuel Payment with a Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) scheme.
Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP)
As a result of the UK Government’s decision to introduce means testing to Winter Fuel Payment, we have no choice but to restrict eligibility for Pension Age Winter Heating Payment to older people on relevant eligible benefits. Due to the timing of the UK Government announcement, Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be deferred until winter 2025-2026. For winter 2024-2025, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has committed to make payments this winter to eligible pensioners in Scotland on terms equivalent to Winter Fuel payments in England and Wales. Read more in the Scot Gov news release.
Child Winter Heating Payment (CWHP)
Child Winter Heating Payment is a winter payment to help families of disabled children and young people receiving the highest rate care component or enhanced daily living component with fuel costs. payment is made per individual rather than per household, meaning each eligible child in the household will receive a payment. Eligible children and young people living in Scotland do not need to apply. They’ll get their payment automatically. It’s paid once a year. The payment for winter 2024-2025 is £251.50 and is usually paid in November or December each year
Winter Heating Payment (WHP)
Winter Heating Payment has replaced the UK Government’s Cold Weather Payment in Scotland, and is an annual payment to people in receipt of certain means tested benefits. WHP is a single payment (currently £58.75) between December and February. How to request Winter Heating Payment.
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Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you’re over State Pension age and on a low income. You might get extra help if you’re a carer, severely disabled, or responsible for a child or young person. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension. You can get Pension Credit even if you have other income, savings or own your own home. How to claim
Find out if you’re eligible for Pension Credit and how much you could get. You’ll need details of earnings, benefits and pensions, savings and investments. You’ll need the same details for your partner if you have one. Pension Credit calculator
Attendance Allowance is money for people over pension age who have care needs. You may have care needs if you need help with activities of daily living, such as getting dressed, going to the toilet or having someone to look after you so you do not hurt yourself. It could include help outside the home. It does not matter if no one actually gives this help, as long as you can show you need it.
You can have any type of disability or illness, including sight or hearing impairments, or mental health issues such as dementia or depression. Attendance Allowance does not cover mobility needs. How to claim.
Pension Age Disability Payment
Pension Age Disability Payment which will replace Attendance Allowance (AA) in Scotland. It is for people of pension age who have a disability or long-term health condition that means they need help looking after themselves or supervision to stay safe. There is no mobility component and it is not means-tested.
From 21 October 2024 one of the areas it will be piloted in is Aberdeen City. The benefit will become available in 13 more local authority areas on 24 March next year before becoming available across Scotland by 22 April 2025.
Currently over 150,000 people in Scotland get Attendance Allowance, their awards will be automatically moved from the DWP to Social Security Scotland in phases, with the first expected to be transferred in early 2025.
