Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment
The Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA) carried out in relation to the Winter Heating Assistance (Pension Age) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2025
Social Security Experience Panels Survey
32. We also invited members of our Social Security Experience Panels for their views on the key policy considerations for PAWHP alongside the public consultation.
33. Many suggested PAWHP should be provided for disabled people, extending coverage through lowering the eligible age for those with disabilities and, for those who are unable to work due to a disability. Some also suggested a universal payment without age limits.
34. Some respondents suggested island communities should receive a higher value payment to reflect the higher heating costs and weather conditions costs incurred with island or rural life, and widening eligibility to cover all households that were off-gas grid, including disabled or vulnerable households, or assessing cases on an individual basis.
35. Almost all (91%) survey respondents agreed that PAWHP should continue to be provided as a one-off payment each winter. Those in support stated it would help with advance planning for the winter months and would help with budgeting decisions over the Christmas period.