Winter Fuel Payments

House of Lords written question – answered at on 20 November 2001.

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Photo of Baroness Noakes Baroness Noakes Conservative

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they intend to take in the future to ensure people are made aware of their entitlement to make retrospective claims for winter fuel payment.

Photo of Baroness Hollis of Heigham Baroness Hollis of Heigham Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Work and Pensions, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

From April 2000 an information campaign ran to ensure that existing and potential customers knew about the changes to the winter fuel payment scheme and what, if anything, they needed to do to get a payment.

This year, the campaign, using similar media, began in June and is continuing throughout the year. The information includes advertisements in national and local press; a leaflet and poster, a dedicated Winter Fuel Payment Helpline and information on the Internet. Full explanation of restrospective payments is available in the leaflet, the Internet and from the helpline. The leaflet is made available in a variety of venues, including local social security offices, post offices, electricity and gas outlets, supermarkets and doctors' surgeries.

Eligible people are still able to claim for 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 as there are no time limits for the payment in respect of these winters. However, it is up to the individual to choose whether or not to claim.

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