Winter heating allowance

little_miss_moneysaver_3

Hi, hope you can point me in the right direction.

I know its a bit late now, as its Spring, but my MIL turned 60 in November. Jokingly asked what she'd spent her heating allowance on, maybe something other than heating, and it was good that warmer weather was coming etc. But she had no idea what we were talking about!

So i'm asking can someone point me in the direction of more information on this? As far as I know its non means tested and you can have it when you're 60+ Have tried searching the site but don't seem to get what I want.

Any help would be great, thanks.

LMMS

Zara33

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel/

Winter Fuel Payment

The deadline for receiving claims for Winter Fuel Payments was on or before 30 March 2009. If you have any queries about your claim for winter 2008/09 contact the Winter Fuel Payments Helpline. You should have your National Insurance number ready when you call.
The Government will again be making Winter Fuel Payments to most people aged 60 or over for winter 2009/10. Further information will be available on this site from July 2009.
As a result of pensions reform the minimum age at which both men and women will be able to receive a Winter Fuel Payment will rise incrementally to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This will not affect 2009/10 Winter Fuel Payments. There is a working assumption that it will rise again to 68 with the increase in State Pension age. Precise details of how the Winter Fuel Payment qualifying age will increase are yet to be finalised.

seven-day-weekend

As far as I know she doesn't qualify for it until the September AFTER she is 60, so she would not have qualified this winter. (2008/9)

Se this link which explains more:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Inretirement/DG_10018657