Winter Fuel Payment delay.

anotherquestion

Hi folks,

I am entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment of £200 as I meet the criteria, state pension and received child tax credits as a joint claim with my partner for the qualifying week of 16Sept to 23 Sept 24.

I have contacted the DWP several times by phone probably spent 2-3 hours and it is only today they have told me by phone that I need to send a covering letter with Child Tax Credits notice for 24-25 to them.

I don't understand why they have not told me this before, but the lady explained that they themselves are only getting used to the new system.

I think the ending date for applying is 31 March 25 though that may be for people who live abroad, I have not received any letters from them telling me how much I should get.

I did ask the lady to put a note on my file that I called, and I will send off the proof tomorrow, but what are the chances the will honour the new rules as I have called them on several occasions since November 24

Many thanks.

toomuchinfo

Your post has reminded me that I haven’t had the WFA either.

My husband passed away in December so Working Tax Credits stopped but, as I am on State Pension, I should have received it.

It seems that they aren’t very efficient with the Tax Credits entitlement to WFA.

I might phone them this week and enquire.

  I think they will pay it if you were entitled. I hope so anyway.

peteuk

toomuchinfo said:

Your post has reminded me that I haven’t had the WFA either.

My husband passed away in December so Working Tax Credits stopped but, as I am on State Pension, I should have received it.

It seems that they aren’t very efficient with the Tax Credits entitlement to WFA.

I might phone them this week and enquire.

  I think they will pay it if you were entitled. I hope so anyway.

Are you claiming Pension credit?  If not then as a pensioner you’re not entitled to the WFA.  As your lane husband were claiming WTC then he may have been entitled to it.

toomuchinfo

@peteuk  I was on a joint Tax Credits claim with my husband as we were a mixed age couple, and as such would not have been able to claim Pension Credit. I have the tax credit letter which was sent to us both separately. 

As we were getting tax credits during the qualifying week, I should have got the WFA.

 I’m sure it complicates things that he passed away and I don’t know if I will phone because it’s too distressing explaining things.

sheramber

You could use this form to check if you are eligible 

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-to-claim

bgjb

My husband and I meet the eligibility criteria being in receipt of Working Tax Credit for the qualifying week last September  and also haven't received the Winter Fuel Payment. We received it last year and had a letter in September saying those meeting the eligibility criteria wouldn't have to claim. I'm wondering how many more people out there are still waiting - I bet the one or two in this forum are just the tip of the iceberg. I have written to the WFP address but have yet to hear anything. I will keep you posted!

anotherquestion

toomuchinfo said:

@peteuk  I was on a joint Tax Credits claim with my husband as we were a mixed age couple, and as such would not have been able to claim Pension Credit. I have the tax credit letter which was sent to us both separately. 

As we were getting tax credits during the qualifying week, I should have got the WFA.

 I’m sure it complicates things that he passed away and I don’t know if I will phone because it’s too distressing explaining things.

You are entitled but rather than waste hours as I did phoning write to them with the proof on Tax Credits, as they finally told me to do this.

bgjb

Having written 2 letters pointing out that my husband and I met the criteria for the winter fuel payment, I then rang and was told that the working tax credit which we receive wasn't in their system. I have sent copies of the award letter for 2024-2025. It's over a week now and I still haven't heard anything. I will ring them tomorrow - watch this space!

bgjb

Success at last. After sending a copy of my Working Tax Credit award letter, I have received the winter fuel payment. So my advice to anyone else who is still waiting is to send proof of your award as it seems that the WFP centre doesn't have proof in their system.