People in Scotland who qualify for the Pension Age Winter Heating Payment have an important date to know: the online opt-out form is available until midday on 19 October 2026. The payment is administered by Social Security Scotland and replaces the Winter Fuel Payment for eligible Scottish residents.

The decision may matter particularly to pensioners whose individual annual income is expected to exceed £35,000. In most cases, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recovers the full payment through the tax system when individual income exceeds this threshold, unless an exemption applies. Some people may therefore prefer to opt out of future payments rather than receive money that will later be recovered.

However, the 19 October date needs to be understood correctly. It is the deadline for the online opt-out form, not the end of every possible way to opt out. Social Security Scotland also allows people to opt out by telephone. Before making a decision, check the official instructions and consider whether you qualify for an exemption.

Official source: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment opt-out guidance.

1. What is Pension Age Winter Heating Payment?

Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is an annual Scottish benefit intended to help eligible people of State Pension age with heating costs. It replaced the UK Winter Fuel Payment for eligible people living in Scotland.

Social Security Scotland manages the payment. Most eligible people receive it automatically, so they do not need to make a separate application. A letter is normally sent before payment to confirm how much the recipient will receive.

For winter 2026–27, the amount can range from £105.55 to £316.70. The exact amount depends on age, household circumstances and whether the person receives certain qualifying benefits during the relevant week.

The payment is separate from the Scottish Winter Heating Payment, which is a different benefit for eligible people receiving certain qualifying benefits. Do not confuse the two schemes when checking payment dates or eligibility.

Official overview: How Pension Age Winter Heating Payment works.

2. Why is 19 October 2026 important?

Social Security Scotland has published an online opt-out form for people who do not want to receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment. The online form is available until midday on Monday, 19 October 2026.

People considering opting out should use the official service before the online deadline. If they miss the online deadline, they can still contact Social Security Scotland by telephone to opt out.

The opt-out arrangement is intended for people who do not want to receive the payment. It is particularly relevant for people who expect their income to exceed the tax recovery threshold, although an individual should first check whether an exemption applies.

Online opt-out service: Opt out of Pension Age Winter Heating Payment.

3. Who can receive the payment in winter 2026–27?

Eligibility is assessed using the persons circumstances during a qualifying week. For winter 2026–27, the qualifying week runs from Monday, 21 September to Sunday, 27 September 2026.

To qualify, a person must generally:

• Have been born on or before 27 June 1960.
• Have lived in Scotland on at least the last day of the qualifying week.
• Meet the other residence and eligibility requirements for the payment.
• Not fall within a specific exclusion under the benefit rules.

Some people may not qualify because of circumstances involving a long hospital stay, custody, immigration restrictions or certain residential care arrangements. The detailed rules depend on the circumstances during the qualifying week and, in some cases, the period before it.

If you believe you qualify but have not received the payment before, check whether you need to apply. Most eligible people are paid automatically, but certain circumstances, including deferring State Pension since a previous payment, can mean an application is necessary.

Official eligibility guidance: Check Pension Age Winter Heating Payment eligibility.

4. How much will eligible pensioners receive?

The amount payable for winter 2026–27 ranges from £105.55 to £316.70. The payment is not the same for every eligible household.

These are general examples rather than a complete calculation for every household. Use the official eligibility checker to confirm the amount that applies to your circumstances.

Official information: Payment amounts and rules.

5. What happens if your income is over £35,000?

The UK tax rules apply an Income Tax charge equal to the full value of a Winter Fuel Payment or the equivalent Scottish Pension Age Winter Heating Payment when the individuals total annual income exceeds £35,000, unless an exemption applies.

This means that an eligible Scottish pensioner may receive the payment automatically but later have the same amount recovered through the tax system. The recovery is generally handled by HMRC through a PAYE tax code adjustment or Self Assessment.

The £35,000 threshold is based on individual income, not the combined income of a couple. For example, one partner may have annual income above £35,000 and face tax recovery, while the other partner remains below the threshold.

The examples assume that the person is otherwise eligible and is not exempt from the tax charge. The tax threshold is based on total income before deductions, so it is important not to confuse it with take-home pay.

Official tax guidance: Income over £35,000 and payment recovery.

6. Which income counts towards the £35,000 threshold?

The threshold is based on total individual income for the relevant tax year. It is not limited to State Pension income or the amount received from one pension provider.

Depending on the individuals circumstances, income can include:

• State Pension.
• Workplace and private pension income.
• Employment earnings.
• Self-employment profits.
• Taxable property income.
• Taxable savings interest and other taxable income.

If you have several sources of income, estimate the total for the full tax year rather than looking at one pension statement. If your income changes during the year, use the best available estimate and review the official HMRC guidance.

Official guidance: Check whether your income is over £35,000.

7. Are some pensioners exempt from tax recovery?

Yes. People who receive specified means-tested benefits during the relevant qualifying week are generally exempt from the tax charge. The relevant benefits include:

• Pension Credit.
• Universal Credit.
• Income Support.
• Income-based Jobseeker Allowance.
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance.

The benefit must meet the conditions in the official rules. Receiving another benefit does not automatically provide an exemption. If you receive one of the listed benefits, check that your circumstances meet the conditions for the relevant qualifying week before deciding to opt out.

An eligible person who is exempt may be able to keep the payment even if their income is above £35,000. Opting out without checking the exemption rules could mean missing support you would otherwise receive and retain.

Official information: HMRC guidance on the winter payment tax charge.

8. How can you opt out before the online deadline?

If you decide that you do not want to receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, use the official Social Security Scotland opt-out service. The online form is available until midday on 19 October 2026.

1. Open the official Pension Age Winter Heating Payment opt-out page.
2. Read the eligibility and opt-out information carefully.
3. Follow the instructions to submit your opt-out request.
4. Keep any confirmation or reference information provided.
5. If you cannot use the online form or miss the online deadline, contact Social Security Scotland by telephone for assistance.

Use the official website rather than third-party services that may charge for information or ask for unnecessary personal details.

9. What happens after you opt out?

An opt-out request applies to future Pension Age Winter Heating Payment awards. Once the request is in effect, you will not receive payments in future years unless you contact Social Security Scotland and opt in again.

If a decision has already been made on your payment for the current winter, opting out afterwards does not cancel that payment. You will still receive the current winter payment, but you will not receive payments from winter 2027–28 onwards while the opt-out remains in effect.

This distinction is important. Opting out is not necessarily a way to stop a payment that has already been awarded for winter 2026–27. If your decision has already been made, you should understand that the current payment may still arrive.

If you have previously opted out, Social Security Scotland will not pay you automatically while the opt-out remains in effect. You need to contact the service to opt in again if you want to receive future eligible payments.

Official guidance: What happens when you opt out.

10. Can you opt in again after opting out?

Yes. If you previously opted out and later decide that you want to receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, you can contact Social Security Scotland to opt in again.

You can opt in for the current winter period until 31 March. If you contact Social Security Scotland after 31 March and want payment for the previous winter period, the service will consider your reason for making a late request. If the reason is not accepted, you will receive payments in future years if you remain eligible.

You should contact Social Security Scotland directly to opt in again, even if your earlier opt-out request was made through the Department for Work and Pensions.

Official contact information: Contact Social Security Scotland.

11. When will the 2026–27 payment arrive?

Most eligible people will receive Pension Age Winter Heating Payment automatically. Payments start from November 2026 and continue throughout winter. Social Security Scotland sends a letter before payment to explain the amount.

The payment normally goes into the same bank account used for State Pension or Social Security Scotland benefits. You can identify the payment on your bank statement by the reference code containing PAWHP.

If your payment has not arrived by the start of March 2027, check your eligibility and whether you needed to apply, then contact Social Security Scotland if you still believe you should have received the payment.

Official payment dates: When Pension Age Winter Heating Payment will be paid.

12. How to contact Social Security Scotland

If you need help opting out, checking a payment or opting in again, contact Social Security Scotland using its official contact options.

• Telephone: 0800 182 2222.
• Calling from outside the UK: +44 (0)1382 931 000. This number is not free; check charges with your telephone provider.
• Other contact methods: Webchat and post are available through the official contact page.
• Post: Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, PO Box 10326, Dundee, DD1 9HB.

If you contact the service about an opt-out request, explain whether you are trying to stop the current winter payment or future payments. If a decision has already been made for winter 2026–27, the current payment may still be paid despite the opt-out.

Official contact page: Social Security Scotland contact details.

13. Should you opt out if your income exceeds £35,000?

There is no single answer for every pensioner. Your decision should depend on your income, whether you qualify for an exemption and whether you want to receive the payment before any tax recovery takes place.

If you expect to exceed the income threshold, do not assume that opting out is always the best choice. Check the official tax rules first. If you qualify for an exemption, the full payment may not be recovered through tax.

14. Frequently asked questions

Conclusion

The online opt-out form for Scotland Pension Age Winter Heating Payment is available until midday on 19 October 2026. The payment is worth between £105.55 and £316.70 for winter 2026–27, depending on eligibility and household circumstances.

People whose individual annual income exceeds £35,000 generally have the full payment recovered through tax, unless they qualify for an exemption. Before opting out, check your income, any qualifying benefits and whether a decision has already been made on your current winter payment.

If you miss the online deadline, contact Social Security Scotland by telephone. Remember that opting out affects future payments, and if an award decision has already been made, the current winter payment may still be paid. You can opt in again later by contacting Social Security Scotland.