More than 880,000 pensioners to receive help with heating bills this winter

More than 880,000 pensioners are set to receive help with their heating bills this winter, the Scottish Government has announced.

The rollout of pension age winter heating payments has begun, with eligible people of state pension age set to receive between £101.70 and £305.10, depending on their circumstances.

All those born on or before September 21, 1959 who were living in Scotland between September 15 and September 21 this year will receive the payment.

The amount they will receive depends on a number of factors, including their age and that of anyone they live with, and whether they live in residential care.

All those eligible will receive a letter setting out details of their payment and in the “vast majority” of cases money will be transferred into a recipient’s bank account automatically.

For pensioners with a taxable income of more than £35,000, the Government said the payment will be taken back through the tax system during in the 2026/27 financial year.

The Government also warned the public to beware of scams around the payment and said Social Security Scotland will not request any personal information to be shared via email or text message.

Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We know that energy costs are too high and that this will affect households across Scotland this winter.

“Pension age winter heating payment will provide vital support for thousands of older people to help heat their homes and manage costs throughout the colder months.

“People over the age of 66 don’t need to do anything – in the vast majority of cases, the payment will be made automatically to help towards a warmer winter.”

The pension age winter heating payment replaces the winter fuel payment in Scotland and is delivered by Social Security Scotland.

Further information about the payment, including how to apply if you are not set to receive it automatically, can be found at www.mygov.scot/pension-age-winter-heating-payment