What happened to my winter fuel allowance?

[Deleted User]

Hi,

I'm a pensioner, and towards the end of last year I received a letter telling me that I'd been awarded £135 for 'winter fuel allowance'. The letter stated that this sum would be paid directly to my energy supplier, who would deduct it from my bill.

My energy supplier is EDF. I received my latest (shockingly expensive) bill last week - but there is no mention of the £135.
The bill covers the period from October to January - so surely this is the time when the winter fuel allowance ought to have been credited to my EDF account?

NB: I haven't switched suppliers for 2 years now - so there isn't a complicating factor such as two different energy firms being involved.

I'm not sure whether this is a problem with EDF, or whether it's whichever government department issues the winter fuel allowance. (The letter did say that I didn't have to apply for the allowance as it would be issued automatically).

Please could anyone suggest the best way of tackling this issue?

rustyboy21

Think my Mum got the letter too, but you had to ring up to obtain it.


It wasn't from the energy co, it was from the Government

macman

The winter fuel payment (if that's what you are referring to) is nothing to do with your energy provider, it's paid by the DPW along with your pension payments.
https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/what-youll-get
It's £200 or £300 depending on age, and should have been paid by the end of December.

[Deleted User]

Aha! I understand it now ... there are actually 2 payments:

1. The Warm Home Discount which the government pays directly to the energy supplier on behalf of pensioners who qualify for help.

2. The Winter Fuel Allowance which is paid by the government pays into the pensioner's bank account.

For some reason the EDF website won't allow me to access bills pre-15th October 2013 ... so I can't check whether or not I received the Warm Home Discount.

~Chameleon~

It can take up to March for them to pay the energy providers. Eon were paid in November. I do seem to recall a discussion recently about there being some delays in payment?

Joyful

The Warm home discount money comes from your energy supplier for this winter, not the government. The DWP just lets them know if you are a Core customer on pension credits. This can be paid to broader customers up till March but core customers should be paid by 31.12.2013.

As of next winter the money will come from the tax payers.

~Chameleon~

And it's not just for pensioners but also the disabled, dependent upon your energy supplier's scheme. Check here....