New annual heating payment worth up to £300 due this winter

The Scottish Government is set to roll out a new yearly heating benefit this winter. Aimed at assisting over a million State Pension recipients with the increased energy costs during the chillier season, the forthcoming Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP) will be managed by Social Security Scotland, taking over from the current Winter Fuel Payments distributed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). Valued at up to £300, the payments are designed to mirror those of the DWP's scheme.

A recent public consultation has shed light on the proposed operational details, including eligibility criteria and payment amounts, which are expected to align closely with those used for Winter Fuel Payments. Under the new PAWHP system, all individuals in Scotland currently entitled to Winter Fuel Payments will maintain their existing level of financial support, albeit through Social Security Scotland instead of the DWP.

The Scottish Government has assured that these payments will remain non-means tested and exempt from tax. Officials have stated: "Based on estimations of eligible claimants, PAWHP will be an investment of around £180 million in the first year (2024/25), providing support to over one million eligible people."

Traditionally, Winter Fuel Payments are automatically issued to qualifying households between November and January. The PAWHP is set to adhere to a similar schedule for automatic payments, reports the Daily Record.

Eligibility for the Winter Fuel Payment (WFP) is determined by the age of individuals in each household, specifically if they are over 66 or over 80, as well as their living circumstances - whether single, a couple, both of the same age, or of mixed ages during the qualifying week in September,