§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many people have received all the backdated winter fuel payments to which they are entitled; [143157]
(2) how many men who have an entitlement to a backdated winter fuel payment accrued when they reached 60 years have (a) received the backdated payment and (b) are awaiting some or all of the payment; [143528]
(3) how many claims for backdated winter fuel payments were received (a) before and (b) after 3 November. [143525]
§ Mr. RookerLatest information shows that around one million people, of whom around 980,000 are men, have chosen to claim for past winters and around one million payments have been made, of which around 975,000 have478W been to men. Almost one million claims were received before 3 November and approximately 50,000 since that date.
We are unable to give precise figures as claims are still being received and processed. It is up to the individual to choose whether to claim payments for past winters. The information campaign, which has been running since April, aimed to ensure that existing and potential customers know about the changes to the scheme and what to do to get a payment.