26 February 2004 - Last chance to claim help with fuel bills
With winter drawing to a close, pensioners have one month left to claim their Winter Fuel Payment, Pensions Minister Malcolm Wicks said today.
Applications for Winter Fuel Payments must be received by 30th March 2004 in order to receive up to £200 for help with fuel bills.
Mr Wicks said:
“Over 11.6 million payments have already been made this year, and 2.3 million additional payments of up to £100 have also been made for the very first time to households with someone aged 80 or over. This means over £1.9 billion has already helped warm up the homes of our seniors this winter.”
In the vast majority of cases, people over 60 receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically. If they received a payment last year and their circumstances have not changed, or they are in receipt of a state pension or other social security benefit, they will already have received their money. The new 80+ Annual Payment is made automatically as part of the Winter Fuel Payment.
But people who are not receiving the state pension or other social security benefit, or who did not receive a payment last year, need to make a claim.
Mr Wicks, who early in his career carried out pioneering research into the ‘Old and Cold’, continued:
“Winter Fuel Payments are just one weapon we have used to battle against the cold this winter. Grants to install new central heating systems, worth up to £2,500, are available for vulnerable households through the Warm Front scheme. And a free Winter Guide and freephone helpline are there to provide advice on staying warm and healthy.
“The bottom line is that no older person should worry about turning up the heating and fending off the cold in winter.”
Anyone who has not received an automatic payment and considers themselves eligible should call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 151515. Claim forms are also available at www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel.
Notes for editors
- Malcolm Wicks is the author of a number of books and papers including Old and Cold: “Hypothermia and Social Policy” (1976).
- Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 21 September 2003 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment.
- Anyone aged 80 or over on or before 21 September 2003 may qualify for the new 80+ Annual Payment.
- Most eligible people will get their payment automatically. People who qualify for the new 80+ Annual Payment of up to £100 will get the extra money automatically as part of their Winter Fuel Payment – they will not need to claim.
- Eligible people who will receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically:
- those who receive a State Retirement Pension or other social security benefit (but not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) in the qualifying week 15 –21 September 2003.
- those who received a payment last year and whose circumstances have not changed.
- Entitled people in care homes who get Winter Fuel Payments will also get an extra payment if they are aged 80 or over in the qualifying week. Those who were residing in a care home 12 weeks prior to the qualifying week, and were in receipt of MIG, would not generally be entitled.
- Those people who are newly eligible and who need to claim, and have not already received a claim form, can get one by visiting the Winter Fuel Payment website – www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel, by calling the Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 or tearing off the coupon in national newspaper advertisements. Claim forms must be received by no later than 30 March 2004 for this winter.
- More information on Winter Fuel Payments is available in an information leaflet available from places such as social security offices, welfare organisations and post offices. The leaflet is also on The Pension Service website.
- The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is open from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday and calls are charged at local rates
- The Keep Warm Keep Well campaign to protect older people from winter-related illnesses and deaths is run by the Department of Health. Call 0800 085 7000 for advice on keeping warm and staying well in winter. A free Winter Guide is also available from the advice line.
- DEFRA's Warm Front Scheme provides help such as insulation and new central heating to vulnerable households. You can apply or get more information by calling a free phone number – 0800 952 0600.
Press office: 020 7238 0866
Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Public enquiries: 020 7712 2171
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk