Winter fuel payment when deferring state pension

where_are_we

I am 65 year old man and am deferring my state pension (old scheme) and I read an article that stated : because I am not claiming a benefit (ie. deferring my state pension) I would lose my winter fuel payment. I assumed that, because of my age and having successfully claimed the winter fuel payment, future payments would be automatic. I did receive my £200 in November 2016, so, is there any truth in the article?

p00hsticks

where_are_we wrote: »

I am 65 year old man and am deferring my state pension (old scheme) and I read an article that stated : because I am not claiming a benefit (ie. deferring my state pension) I would lose my winter fuel payment. I assumed that, because of my age and having successfully claimed the winter fuel payment, future payments would be automatic. I did receive my £200 in November 2016, so, is there any truth in the article?

I don't beleive that being on any benefit is a prerequisite for the Winter Fuel Allowance. My other half is has not yet reached his State Pension age and receives no other benefits but has received WFA for the last two winters because he was over the corrresponding womens state pension age and therefore eligible.

Mojisola

where_are_we wrote: »

is there any truth in the article?

No.

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility
You’ll qualify for Winter Fuel Payment if:
you were born on or before 5 May 1953 (for winter 2016 to 2017 - this date changes every year)
you lived in the UK throughout the week of 19 to 25 September 2016

JezR

The article may be confusing this with the Christmas Bonus.

greenglide

When the Winter Fuel Payment was first set up (around 1996 or 1997?) the money was paid to anyone over a specified age who was in receipt of a "qualifying benefit". It tried and failed to be a social fund payment, the rules were drafted wrongly and there was a raft of appeals about it.

Many people think the qualifying benefit requirement is still in place but it was removed many years ago.

And it is "Winter Fuel Payment" not "winter fuel allowance". An allowance has a different meaning.

Alter_ego

If the state pension is the only "benefit" you are entitled to you will have to reclaim WFP. This is because WFP is triggered by certain benefits.(by the payment NOT the entitlement)
Mine was stopped the year after I deferred my SP. Phoned the DWP and this was their explanation. Eventually got it reinstated but had to make a formal complaint to get the missed WFP paid.

mgdavid

Alter_ego wrote: »

If the state pension is the only "benefit" you are entitled to you will have to reclaim WFP. This is because WFP is triggered by certain benefits.(by the payment NOT the entitlement)
Mine was stopped the year after I deferred my SP. Phoned the DWP and this was their explanation. Eventually got it reinstated but had to make a formal complaint to get the missed WFP paid.

Disagree; I deferred SP at 65, some 2.5 years ago.
I am not claiming or eligible for any other benefit.
WFP has continued to be paid to me just as previously.

LXdaddy

My OH and I are both deferring our State Pension. We both receive Winter Fuel Payment.

The article is wrong.

xylophone

https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/state-pension-deferral-options

Seems relevant.



Winter Fuel Payment and State Pension deferral

The Winter Fuel Payment is not connected to the State Pension. Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment if they are over State Pension age for women and living in Northern Ireland or Britain.

However, in line with changes to State Pension age for women, the qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments is gradually increasing. You may need to make a claim for your first Winter Fuel Payment, if you are not getting another social-security benefit or the only benefits you get are Housing Benefit or Child Benefit.

After the first payment, a yearly Winter Fuel Payment is made automatically, as long as you are still eligible to receive them.

Alter_ego

mgdavid wrote: »

Disagree; I deferred SP at 65, some 2.5 years ago.
I am not claiming or eligible for any other benefit.
WFP has continued to be paid to me just as previously.

Perhaps then it was a line they fed me to cover their mistake, it seemed plausible to me. It was the way I got my WFP reinstated