19 August 2005 - Claim the Winter Fuel Payment and keep warm this winter
The summer can’t last forever so Minister for Pensions Reform, Stephen Timms, is urging older people to plan early and make sure they keep warm this winter.
An advertising campaign is being launched today to encourage those who have not previously received a Winter Fuel Payment to apply for help to heat their homes this winter. New applications received by 23rd September will get their £200 payment in time for Christmas.
Stephen Timms said:
'This winter about eight million households will benefit from the £200 Winter Fuel Payment. Around two million people in those households with someone aged 80 and over will receive an extra payment of up to £100, receiving a total Winter Fuel Payment of £300.
Paid alongside the Winter Fuel Payment this year, many households with someone aged 65 or over could also receive the Age-Related Payment of £200 to help with council tax bills. These are all non means-tested, tax-free lump sum payments.'
This year, automatic payments will be paid to around 11 million people. People will not need to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment if they have received it previously, or are already claiming State Pension or another social security benefit (other than Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit).
Those who haven’t received a Winter Fuel Payment before, or who are not in receipt of a relevant social security benefit in the qualifying week will need to make a claim. The deadline for all claims for Winter Fuel Payment 05/06 is 30th March 2006.
Stephen Timms added:
'The Winter Fuel Payment underlines this Government’s commitment to tackling fuel poverty. No one should have to worry about how to heat their homes during the winter.'
Notes for editors
1. Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 25 September 2005 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of £200 per household. Households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of £300. The Winter Fuel Payments do not count as qualifying income for means-tested benefits.
2. Age Related Payments 2005:
Households with someone aged 70 or over who are receiving the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit will get the Age-Related Payment of £50 to help with additional living expenses.
Households with someone aged 65 or over who are not receiving the guaranteee credit element of Pension Credit will receive a payment of up to £200 to help with Council Tax bills.
Most eligible people will get their payment automatically. People who qualify for the additional payment of £200 or £50 should get the extra money automatically – If they do not receive an automatic payment by Christmas, they will need to make a claim.
3. Eligible people who will receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically:
- those who received a payment last year and whose circumstances have not changed.
- those who have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before but will receive a State Retirement Pension or other social security benefit (but not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) in the qualifying week 19-25 September 2005
4. 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 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users) or tearing off the coupon in national newspaper advertisements.
5. For those who need to claim and wish to receive their Winter Fuel Payment before Christmas, we must receive their correctly completed claim form by 23 September 2005. The final deadline for the receipt of claims for this winter is 30 March 2006.
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