ALL Scottish pensioners will receive a new Universal Winter Fuel Payment as part of the SNP’s latest budget, which passed its final vote earlier this week.
Politicians voted on the Scottish Government‘s tax and spending plans for the upcoming financial year, approving the 2025–2026 budget.
The UK Government made huge changes to the universal benefit[/caption]
The budget includes £21.7 billion allocated for health and social care, over £15 billion for local authorities, and £6.9 billion for social security benefits, supporting an estimated two million people.
As part of the budget, the Winter Fuel Allowance will be reintroduced for over one million pensioners through a new devolved scheme, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment (PAWHP).
This means every pensioner in Scotland will receive a £100 payment from the Scottish Government to assist with fuel costs from next winter.
Individuals still eligible for the full Winter Fuel Payment through other benefits, such as Pension Credit, will receive between £200 and £300.
Pensioners not in receipt of means-tested benefits will still receive a smaller payment of £100 before next winter.
The Scottish Government has also confirmed that the annual uprating of benefits on 1 April will apply to PAWHP. As a result:
- Pensioners aged 66–79 who qualify for income-related benefits will receive £203.40 (lower rate).
- Those aged 80 and over will receive £305.10 (higher rate).
This announcement follows Chancellor Rachel Reeves’ decision to scrap the Winter Fuel Payment for 10 million pensioners last year as part of efforts to address a £20 billion fiscal “black hole.”
The decision made by the UK government left nearly one million older people in Scotland ineligible for the payment.
Under the new rules proposed by Ms Reeves’, only 130,000 pensioners in Scotland will qualify, while 900,000 who were previously entitled will no longer receive the benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has yet to announce Winter Fuel Payment rates for 2025–2026 but is expected to maintain the current levels of £200 and £300, following the same eligibility criteria as PAWHP.
Full details about the new PAWHP benefit will be available on mygov.scot once the Scottish Government website is updated for the new financial year.
Scotland’s 1.1 million pensioners will receive a letter in March from the DWP explaining the annual uprating to the State Pension.
The letter will detail how much they can expect to receive every four weeks over the 2025–2026 financial year.
It will also include information about Pension Credit, which serves as a gateway to other financial support, including higher PAWHP payments.
Pension Credit and Additional Support:
It is estimated that thousands of older Scots could be missing out on financial support worth nearly £4,000 annually from the DWP.
Pension Credit is designed to provide financial assistance to single and married older individuals on a low income.
However, it remains the most under-claimed benefit in the UK.
Martin Lewis reveals MILLIONS more households could get £150 energy bill discount
BY JONATHAN ROSE
MARTIN LEWIS has revealed millions more households could get a £150 energy bill discount.
The scheme gives those on low incomes or benefits a one-off £150 discount on their electricity bill.
The Government announced it is consulting on offering more support to UK consumers facing an “unpredictable international energy market”.
It comes as the average household energy bill will rise £111 per year, as part of watchdog Ofgem’s price cap.
The rise is because of an increase in gas prices across Europe, caused by a slump in the amount of gas that is held in storage across the continent.
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) said on Tuesday that one in five families in Britain would get financial help in the proposals.
Around 2.7million extra households, including nearly one million with children, would be eligible for the £150 Warm Home Discount next winter, it added.
This would bring the total number of recipient homes to an estimated 6.1million.
The Money Saving Expert explained how it works on his Martin Lewis Money Show Live on ITV this evening.
He said: “The Warm Home Discount is £150 given to homes on low incomes.
“If you’re on the guaranteed element of Pension Credit, you get it.
“You also, if you’re on means-tested benefits, like Universal Credit that helps working and non-working people on low incomes, you get it, as long as your home has a high energy rating.
“In other words, it’s inefficient. It’s a perverse system that rewards people for inefficiency – and the way it’s being put in practice has been absolutely terrible.
“The Government announced today they’re scrapping that criteria.
“So now everyone on means-tested benefits, the right means-tested benefits, will be eligible.
“It’s £150, 2.7million extra people. Hopefully this winter.”
Households are facing a 6.4% jump in their energy bills from April.
Currently, nearly 1.4 million pensioners across the UK, including 125,000 in Scotland, receive Pension Credit, which can provide up to £3,900 in additional financial support each year.
Despite this, DWP figures suggest around 760,000 eligible pensioners have not claimed the benefit.
Many older Scots may mistakenly believe they are ineligible for Pension Credit because they own their home or have savings.
However, even receiving just £1 per week through Pension Credit can unlock access to further support, such as:
- Winter Fuel Payment,
- Assistance with housing costs,
- Reductions in council tax, and
- Help with heating bills.
The DWP recently confirmed that 78 per cent of new Pension Credit claims are processed within the target timeframe of 50 working days, from application to award letter.
Scottish pensioners will get an extra £100 to help with fuel costs[/caption]
