MSE News: Over 74? You could be owed backdated energy bill cash

lstar337

Over 74? You could be owed backdated energy bill cash

Sounds like one of the many stupid phone calls I get about PPI claims.

ashleyriot

In 1999/2000, the qualifying week was 20-26 September 1999.

It was that cold in September?

Gaffy

Does anyone know the exact date the 1999/2000 payment would have been paid into the bank account, as my parents bank statements only go back to 1st Jan 2000 and no winter fuel payment has automatically been paid even though they got the pension?

macman

afmfifgh wrote: »

I think the best address is:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 1LR

As per the Government website that talks about these payments:

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim

I was told that this centre/address is not yet functional! I have no idea if this info is correct or not.

macman

afmfifgh wrote: »

Just spoke to someone at the DWP in the Winter Fuel Payment department and they said that if the person was getting state pension and/or any state benefit they would have automatically got the payments.

Would that not apply to almost all meaning pretty much everyone would have already had these payments?

The MSE article made no mention of this to my reading of it.

My understanding is that if they were not getting means tested benefits in addition to state pension then they would not have received WFP's for those 3 years.
Since the deadline for posting is tomorrow, I'd suggest that people put in a claim anyway; the most you can lose is a 1st Class stamp and five minutes to fill in the form.

macman

Gaffy wrote: »

Does anyone know the exact date the 1999/2000 payment would have been paid into the bank account, as my parents bank statements only go back to 1st Jan 2000 and no winter fuel payment has automatically been paid even though they got the pension?

If the same timetable as now, then during February 2000.
I doubt that most pensioners even have bank statements going back more than 5 years.

afmfifgh

A new bit has been added to the article:

"The Government says if you were 60 or over during the qualifying weeks and in receipt of State Pension, you should have automatically received the Winter Fuel Payment then. If you're unsure whether you're eligible, call the Winter Fuel Helpline on 08459 151515."

So I would guess the ability to claim really only applies to men as they didn't get state pension until they were 65 I believe.

priorslee

Ignore this - I was looking at the wrong form!

I[STRIKE]f I'm reading the form correctly, you also have to send your birth certificate and, for married women, marriage certificate (originals, not copies).
[/STRIKE]

However, looking at the correct form, it's not clear whether we are expected to send in birth certificates or not.

priorslee

macman wrote: »

I just called the WFP Helpline and the adviser didn't know the correct address, nor was she aware of this particular retrospective claim.
After checking she gave me:

Winter Fuel Payment Centre (Retro Claims)
Department for Work & Pensions
PO Box 22
Gateshead
NE92 1BX

There is also a further WFP centre in Nottingham, adding to the confusion.

I was also told that this was the correct address to send the claim forms to, not the Wolverhampton address.

macman

priorslee wrote: »

Ignore this - I was looking at the wrong form!

I[STRIKE]f I'm reading the form correctly, you also have to send your birth certificate and, for married women, marriage certificate (originals, not copies).
[/STRIKE]

However, looking at the correct form, it's not clear whether we are expected to send in birth certificates or not.

No, you are not. If you are already in receipt of state pension (and WFP's) then the DWP should already have evidence of your DOB.
If they want further documentation, they will contact you. The priority is to get them the form by Monday-after that, your claim will be rejected regardless.