Winter fuel payment

peteuk

For some reason (unbeknown to me) I have received a Winter fuel payment on my gas/electric bill.

No one in the house on PC (or of pensionable age) but son does recieve UC.  But the bill is in my name not his?

Before I question it with my provider can anyone explain it?

poppy12345

It wouldn't be the WFP. It will be the Warm Home discount of £150. If you live in England or Wales the reason why you've received it is because your son claims UC and your home has high energy costs due to the size and age of the property you live in. https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

You don't need to be named on the energy account to be entitled. 

chapea

The letter I had says you or your representative have to be named on the bill 

if I remember correctly you are your son’s appointee which is why you get it even if your name is on the bill 

Spoonie_Turtle

From the last couple of years, it looks like in practice it has been a case of matching up eligible people with eligible addresses, then sending them out to the account holders matched with the property's MPAN.  Regardless of whether the account holder is or is connected to the eligible person.

peteuk

chapea said:

The letter I had says you or your representative have to be named on the bill 

if I remember correctly you are your son’s appointee which is why you get it even if your name is on the bill 

Not officially, but his WC and their office manager has noted that I will step in for him.  

poppy12345

chapea said:

The letter I had says you or your representative have to be named on the bill 

if I remember correctly you are your son’s appointee which is why you get it even if your name is on the bill 

That's not the reason why. You would be entitled even by just living with someone that claims a qualifying benefit. 

Marmaduke123

I had this a couple of years ago when my son was on benefits.  I queried it with the energy company as I didn't think I was entitled,  but they just said it was a government thing  and they had been told to pay it to me. My son wasn't named on the bill, nor was he my partner obviously. It appeared a crude form of matching was  being used, and I guess a lot of people are getting it who aren't entitled according to the published criteria