Age for winter fuel payments?

Little_Old_Me

This week's MSE email suggests that people over 64 are eligible for winter fuel payments. I can't see how this is the case. I am 64 but according to the info, you have to have been born on or before 5 April 1954. I was born on 2 December 1954 so I am 64 and in fact will be 65 in two months' time right at the start of the cold period when heating bills go up.
No doubt there is an explanation -how the government's "years" are measured - but it is misleading to say people of 64 qualify.

Floretti

Little_Old_Me wrote: »

This week's MSE email suggests that people over 64 are eligible for winter fuel payments. I can't see how this is the case. I am 64 but according to the info, you have to have been born on or before 5 April 1954. I was born on 2 December 1954 so I am 64 and in fact will be 65 in two months' time right at the start of the cold period when heating bills go up.
No doubt there is an explanation -how the government's "years" are measured - but it is misleading to say people of 64 qualify.

It would indeed be possibly misleading if one were to say "people of 64 qualify".

But as you admit, MSE doesn't say that. It says, according to you, "people over 64 are eligible for winter fuel payments"

What is actually stated in this weeks email is even more comprehensive than that.

Over 64 or on benefits? Are you eligible for winter cash from the Govt? Winter can be tough, but there's help available...

a) Winter Fuel Payments. If you were born on or before 5 April 1954, regardless of income you're eligible for the up-to-£300 one-off payment. If you get certain benefits, eg, pension credit or jobseeker's allowance, you'll usually get it automatically if you're old enough, otherwise you may have to claim. See Winter Fuel Payments.

b) Warm Home Discount. Most people who were receiving pension credit on 7 Jul 2019, get an automatic one-off £140 rebate on their elec bill between Sep and Mar, but there are exclusions. Other low-income families may qualify too - see Warm Home Discount eligibility.

c) Cold Weather Payments. If you get pension credit or support for mortgage interest, you automatically get £25 for every seven straight days it's zero degrees or below from Nov to Mar. If you're on certain other benefits, eg, universal credit or income support, it depends on your circumstances. See Cold Weather Payments

elsien

You're being a little pedantic. Right under the strapline,
Over 64 or on benefits? Are you eligible for winter cash from the Govt?

It's not saying that anyone over 64 will qualify it gives you the tools to check, and the first paragraph quotes the date you have given. So no it's not misleading.