winter fuel-can we still claim?

mumdawn

My hubby was sixty last year, but is still working.
I was n't aware that he could claim winter fuel allow. until today.
Phoned the helpline and they say he cannot claim for last winter because it is after the 30th march deadline. I asked if we could appeal as we did n't know about it-she said not. Do we have any other options?
Thanks lots

monkeyspanner

Doesn't look like it. Here is an extract from the Pension service website

Winter Fuel Payments were introduced from the winter of 1997/98. There are no time limits for claim for the years 1997/98 to 1999/2000. From 2000/01 time limits for claims were introduced. This means that payments usually cannot be made for late claims for any of the years 2000/01 to 2008/09. Claims for these years had to be received on or before 30 March for the relevant winter, for example, a claim for winter 2008/09 had to be received by 30 March 2009.

Key word there is usually might be worth giving them another call and asking under what circumstances you could make alate claim,

Also from another section.

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.