§ 19. Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will ensure all pensioners receive their winter fuel allowance before the end of this winter. [154877]
§ Mr. RookerSo far, over 11 million payments have been made for this winter.
§ 34. Mr. DayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will take steps to ensure that all pensioners receive their winter fuel allowance before the end of this winter. [154893]
§ Mr. RookerSo far, over 11 million Winter Fuel Payments have been made in respect of this winter. Claims are still being received and processed.
§ Sir Nicholas LyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many Winter Fuel Payments have been claimed in(a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999 and (d) 2000; how many have been paid to date; how many remain outstanding; what is the total amount of money as yet unpaid in respect of each year; and what proportion of eligible pensioner households have claimed such payments in each year. [155080]
§ Mr. RookerBefore the current winter, 2000–01, Winter Fuel Payments were all made automatically. In each of the winters of 1997–98, 1998–99 and 1999–2000 around 10 million payments were made.
Following the European Court decision, we decided to equalise the age—at 60—from which Winter Fuel Payments could be made. Also, the need to be in receipt of a qualifying benefit was removed. As a result, up to 1.5 million people, mostly men aged 60–64, became newly eligible for the winter of 2000–01. Up to 1.9 million people could also be newly eligible for payments for the first three winters of the scheme. Most of these newly eligible people need to make a claim.
For this winter, over 1 million claims have been made and paid, and over 11 million payments have been made overall. Claims for this winter continue to be received and processed, and payments made. For past winters, 1 million payments have been made so far.
84WIt is up to eligible individuals to choose whether to make a claim.