Winter Fuel Allowance for Deceased Person

Football56

Good Morning, I hope I am in the correct place for this query. My recently deceased Mum received letter indicating that she was entitlled to Winter Fuel Allowance. She unfortunately passed away on 16th October 2023 however my understanding is that she would be entitled to the payment as she was alive during the qualifying week. I am in the process of closing her bank account and as the payment letter states the payment is made to her bank account I was just wondering what happens to the payment. I have used the Tell us Once service to notify all relevant departments and am assuming this would include Winter Fuel Payments. As they probably have my details are they likely to send cheque to me rather than pay to her bank account. Any help would be appreciated as have tried to phone Winter payment helpline but phone just stays on hold.

Keep_pedalling

Call the Winter Fuel Payment Centre to let them know you are dealing with your mother’s estate.

Telephone: 0800 731 0160

Grumpy_chap

Football56 said:

Good Morning, I hope I am in the correct place for this query. My recently deceased Mum received letter indicating that she was entitlled to Winter Fuel Allowance. She unfortunately passed away on 16th October 2023 however my understanding is that she would be entitled to the payment as she was alive during the qualifying week. I am in the process of closing her bank account and as the payment letter states the payment is made to her bank account I was just wondering what happens to the payment. I have used the Tell us Once service to notify all relevant departments and am assuming this would include Winter Fuel Payments. As they probably have my details are they likely to send cheque to me rather than pay to her bank account. Any help would be appreciated as have tried to phone Winter payment helpline but phone just stays on hold.

Sorry for you loss.
The following article seems to cover exactly your question and may assist:
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/pensions/article-9125893/My-late-dad-qualified-winter-fuel-payment-paid.html

prettyandfluffy

Sorry for your loss.  The same thing happened to my Mum (she died on Oct 18th).  They did pay the winter fuel allowance because she was alive on the applicable dates, so the payment was added to her estate.  I seem to remember that was the last thing to be paid.  I would hold off closing the bank account for now.

XzavierWalnut

prettyandfluffy said:

Sorry for your loss.  The same thing happened to my Mum (she died on Oct 18th).  They did pay the winter fuel allowance because she was alive on the applicable dates, so the payment was added to her estate.  I seem to remember that was the last thing to be paid.  I would hold off closing the bank account for now.

Good advice on not closing the account. My mother passed away 3 October and I received the same winter payment letter.

dkay5701

I've just had exactly the same thing.  We got the letter a couple of weeks ago,  Mum passed on the 11th October and her accounts were closed.  HMRC paid it into my account yesterday and it has now been added to the estate balance.

They had sent me a letter previously saying mum was due a tax rebate and I think that was where they got my account details from.

Football56

Thanks for all comments. Have today received letter and form from DWP regarding late Mums winter fuel payment. They have advised me to complete form and fill in required bank details for money to be paid to, so it would appear that there is no need to delay closing Mums current account.