Overview

• Notification letters will arrive in October and November confirming amounts and bank details, and most eligible pensioners will be paid automatically from November; those not paid automatically can apply by 31 March 2026.
• Eligibility is based on being born before 22 September 1959 and circumstances during the qualifying week of 15–21 September 2025, with standard exclusions such as being in hospital or prison for the entire week or being barred from public funds.
• Around nine million people in England and Wales are set to receive between £100 and £300, with age‑based tiers that include up to £300 for those aged 80 and over.
• In Scotland, the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment replaces the scheme, with one‑off payments of £101.70, £203.40 or £305.10 paid automatically to most eligible people into the usual account with the reference ‘PAWHP’, and an online opt‑out available until Friday 10 October on MYGOV.SCOT.
• For taxable incomes above £35,000, the full payment will be recovered automatically by HMRC via PAYE code changes or Self Assessment, and no separate registration is required.