§ 25. Mr. SwayneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to ensure all pensioners receive their Winter Fuel Allowance before the end of this winter. [136132]
§ Angela EagleIn order to make appropriate Winter Fuel Payments to those newly eligible as a result of the changes made to the scheme following the Taylor ruling, we asked that a claims process be developed as a matter of urgency. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced details of the claims process on 11 April. In parallel an information campaign—which includes national and regional press advertisements, a telephone helpline, leaflets, posters and the internet—aims to make existing and potential customers aware of the changes and what action, if any, is required.
In May this year we also wrote to around 1.2 million people, identified by the Department as being newly eligible for the payments, inviting them to claim.
The information campaign will continue to ensure that customers are kept fully informed.
On current plans, all payments should be made before the end of this winter—the end of March 2001. However, the timing of payments made to those who have to claim will depend upon when the claims are received.
For this winter—all automatic payments will be made before Christmas as will those in respect of claims that were returned before 22 September. Claims will still be processed if they are received after 22 September but payment before Christmas cannot be guaranteed. Claims for this winter's payments must be made—where necessary—before 31 March 2001.
For past winters, people must make a claim for each winter for which they think they may now be eligible. As at 6 November, over one million people had chosen to make a claim for payments in respect of previous winters and nearly one million payments have already been issued to people whose claim was successful. Because claims in respect of past winters are not subject to a time limit, and we continue to receive them daily, it is not possible to state categorically that all will be made by the end of March 2001. It all depends on when people choose to make their claim.
§ 34. Mr. ForthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of men aged over 60 years will receive their winter fuel payments by March 2001. [136142]
§ Angela EagleFor this winter, all automatic payments will be made before Christmas, as will those in respect of claims returned before 22 September 2000. Claims will still be processed if they are received after this date but payment before Christmas cannot be guaranteed. Claims for this winter's payments should be made before 31 March 2001. Because people who need to claim their payment this winter can do so up to the end of March 2001, it is not possible to estimate the percentage as requested.
For past winters, people must claim Winter Fuel Payments for each winter for which they think they may now be eligible. As at 6 November, the number of newly eligible men who have chosen to make a claim stands at around 950,000 and around 930,000 payments have 522W already been issued in respect of successful claims. Because claims for past winters are not subject to any time limit, and we continue to receive them daily, it is not possible to estimate the percentage as requested.