Winter fuel payments paid for the deceased?

mhoc

Apologies, I know this has been discussed before but not for some time so any advice would be most helpful.

My dad was 88 and resident in a care home for the last couple of years. The only benefit he got was Attendance Allowance at the lower level. He got the winter fuel allowance directly into his bank account (can't seem to remember getting a letter about it though?)

I'm the eldest and I have enduring power of attorney so I've been attending to his finances since he went into the home.

I've checked the direct gov website and he seems to qualify this year - its the week up to September 22nd. during that week he was at the care home for 5 days but in hospital for 2 days.

Sadly my Dad died at the end of September.

The winter fuel allowance is paid in November. I am hoping that all the final bills for my Dads estate will be settled by the end of October but it looks like we might have to wait until this final amount arrives in November- DWP have my details. do they send a cheque or something?

- do I have to ring them do you think - not a call I really want to make

It's funny the things that worry you at 2 in the morning when you can't sleep, Premium Bonds are also worrying me

Horseunderwater

Have you told them he has passed away? If you have then both Attendance allowance and Winterfuel should get cancelled as soon as you do this. Not sure of the procedure nowadays but you had to send in a copy of death certificate to relevant departments years back. They need to stop paying his AA and I assume his state pension as well. DWP will then let you know how much if anything needs to be paid back to them, once you settle up his estate.

paddedjohn

Is that correct, pensioners still get the winter fuel allowance even when they are in a home?

amersall

Doesn't look like it
https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility

dzug1

paddedjohn wrote: »

Is that correct, pensioners still get the winter fuel allowance even when they are in a home?

Potentially yes - if they pay their own fees and don't get certain benefits

And OP it looks as though your father should get it based on what you said. As to how it's paid - pass. I fear you will need to ask DWP - no tearing hurry for that though

pmlindyloo

dzug1 wrote: »

Potentially yes - if they pay their own fees and don't get certain benefits

And OP it looks as though your father should get it based on what you said. As to how it's paid - pass. I fear you will need to ask DWP - no tearing hurry for that though

I agree, the winter fuel allowance is paid to people in care homes if they are not receiving certain means tested benefits. Since the OP's dad was still receiving AA then he was self funding.

The actual amount is half the usual payment if you qualify and are in a care home.

And yes, it is paid if the deceased met the criteria during the qualifying period.

I receive mine in late November. Not sure how it is done. Is it done alphabetically and does anyone get theirs earlier than November? (I'm 'S' by the way). My sister is 'C' and gets hers weeks before mine.

Since the process seems to be spread over a number of weeks then the OP should telephone and explain. Perhaps they would make the payment earlier in the circumstances. I would also check they have the correct bank details (if that is how you want it paid)

Be_Happy

Winter fuel payment is paid after death if person was alive at qualifying time. My mother died in October several years ago, but her winter fuel allowance was paid in December. I checked with them and found this was correct.

I think it must have been paid by cheque as I'm sure her bank account was closed by then, unless DWP had asked for details of the Executory Account. I really can't remember.

lld01

They won't send a cheque - it will be paid into the executors / next of kin's accont. If they don't have these details they will write out to ask.

The automatic winter fuel payments should all be completed by the second week of December but as this payment will be processed manually you might find you won't recieve it until the new year.

FBaby

The more you read about benefits and the more absurd it gets!

oggin

When my wife passed away in August the registrar gave me a form that had a reference number on it and a phone number. This was call a 'one stop call' or something like that. I called the number and after a few questions about driving license and passport etc that was it. This sent the info about my wife to government departments for DLA and pension also Council, DVLA, HMRC and Passport Control. So there seems to be a bit of joined up stuff going on with the Government departments. I have received stuff from HMRC (as you would expect) my Council tax has gone down and her pension and DLA were stopped. I have also received a bereavement payment all from using the one stop number. Oh and I had to pay back some DLA because that was paid up front before she passed away. Hope this helps.