Free cash for EVERYONE over 60. Claim your winter fuel payment now!

mjmal51

lilac_lady wrote: »

I will be 60 later this month. Have I missed out on the 2008 winter fuel allowance because I haven't claimed it or will it be paid automatically?

Yes you have missed out, see the post from Errata above
"
Quote:
Originally Posted by hollyblue
My mum only just turned 60 a couple of weeks agoa nd my dad wont be 60 until August. Can my mum make a claim for this winter just gone? If so, does the claim need to be in before 30th March?

Thanks for your help

No - it is for those aged 60 or over on or before 23 September 2007. Full details in the first post in this thread."

lilac_lady

Sorry to be so dense, but just to be clear, does the WF payment only go to those who were 60 before 23rd September 2007? Does this mean that anyone who's 60 after that date will need to wait till winter 2009 for their payment? Also do people on benefits have the same rules applied to them? ie - if someone claimed IB or IS etc before 23rd September 2007 then were 60 in 2008 would they qualify for winter 2008? (I'm confusing myself now!)

PS. Errata was asking about the payment for 2007, I was asking about the payment for 2008.

Nomad25

I'd like to know this too. If someone is 60 in Oct this year, should a claim be submitted in Sept 08?

Nomad25

Sorry that wasn't very clear! I meant in order to ?qualify? for the payment in 2009.

Edinburghlass_2

Nomad25 wrote: »

I'd like to know this too. If someone is 60 in Oct this year, should a claim be submitted in Sept 08?

My reading of it means you have to be 60 by September 2008 so they won't be able to claim for 2008/09

Nomad25

Thanks EL - it would appear that the way this is/and to be restructured, will lead to another financial loss for those just on/past retirement age - and it will be interesting to see what the July 08 pronouncement brings ... certainly won't be advantageous to 'young' retirees.

mjmal51

lilac_lady wrote: »

Sorry to be so dense, but just to be clear, does the WF payment only go to those who were 60 before 23rd September 2007? Does this mean that anyone who's 60 after that date will need to wait till winter 2009 for their payment? Also do people on benefits have the same rules applied to them? ie - if someone claimed IB or IS etc before 23rd September 2007 then were 60 in 2008 would they qualify for winter 2008? (I'm confusing myself now!)

PS. Errata was asking about the payment for 2007, I was asking about the payment for 2008.

Errata was talking about Winter 07-08 for which you had to be 60 in Sept 07

lilac_lady

I've found a phone number for late applicants for winter 2007 - 2008. Apparently this helpline will help you make your claim even if it's after March 2008. 08459 151 515.

Pumpkin_Seed

MSE_Archna wrote: »

What's this about?

Every household with someone aged over 60 in it is entitled to the Govt’s winter fuel payment to help offset high fuel costs. If you didn’t claim last winter you must do it before 30 March or you'll miss out (and it also registers you for next year).

Those over 60 will get a tax free £200 lump sum and those over 80 will get £300.

What to do

If you were aged 60 or over on or before 23 September 2007, you should get a payment. If you were receiving a state pension or any other social security benefits in the week of 17-23 September 2007 you should get your payment automatically.

If you haven't, or that doesn't apply to you, you can download a claim form from The Pension Service site. The cash will be paid directly into your account or will be sent to you as a cheque or payable order.

Couples will get half the amount, eg. £100 each if you're both over 60 or £150 each if you're both over 80.

People who can't get a winter fuel payment

Unfortunately you can't get a winter fuel payment if:

• You're in hospital getting free treatment and have been in hospital for 52 weeks.
• In custody serving a sentence
• Subject to immigration control and not eligible for help from the Department for Work and Pensions
• Living in a care home.

Claim backdated payment for past winters

Winter fuel payments were introduced in winter 1997/1998. While you can't claim backdated payments for anything since 2001, you can claim for winters between 1997 and 2000. For more information on how to claim for past winters see The Pensions Services website.

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My father was in a Care Home until sadly he died in Oct 2006 at almost 93.
He did get Winter Fuel Payment totalling £250 whilst in the Care Home. This was WFP of £150 (reduced by £50 as he was in shared home) plus £100 age related payment (as he was over 80). I do still have DSS letter confirming this.
However, maybe he received it as he was self funding & paid all the Care Home fees with no Council financial aid - so perhaps this is the reason for the discrepancies on whether you get it or not in a Care Home.
By the way, when I was 60 I was automatically sent WFP by DSS & did not have to claim.

Edinburghlass_2

Qualifying dates for this year 15 to 21 September 2008 and the payment will be either £250 or £125 depending on your circumstances and households with people who are aged 80 or over during the qualifying week will get up to an additonal £150. This includes the additional amount for 2008/09.

If you are getting the State Pension you should get your payment automatically but if you have deferred your SP then you will need to claim using the form they will send you. To get the payment before Christmas 2008 you need to claim by 19 September, you can claim after that day but all claims for winter 2008/09 must be received by 30 March 2009.

www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel