Winter fuel Allowance

elderlysaver

I have heard that winter fuel allowances are given to those who are over 60yrs at some point during the third week of September.
Whilst they are paid automatically to women who are entitled to their OAPension, men who are not entitled to their pension until they are 65 can still get the winter fuel allowance.
BUT Men between 60 and 65 must CLAIM each year. If they miss claiming, it will not be back dated.

It seems that many men are missing out on this allowance.

It seems very unfair that even if they did not know to claim this money, they cannot be paid the years they have missed!!!

Mikeyorks

elderlysaver wrote: »

BUT Men between 60 and 65 must CLAIM each year.

That might be the perceived inference on the Pension Service website - but it doesn't normally work that way in practise. If you're male and had the WFA paid in previous years - it will continue to be paid unless your circumstances have changed.

If you're male and 60 for the first time, by the qualifying week (17-23 Sept 2007) .... it will normally be paid automatically if your Pension Service record is up to date. But you have time to claim if no payment by Christmas -- as you have until end March to get it in.

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel/

chesky369

Also, if you've deferred taking your pension you have to claim each year - they always tell you that you don't, but if you don't claim you just don't get it. And they always act surprised when you 'phone up - 'oh dear, can't understand why this has happened, it really shouldn't'.