HC Deb 10 April 2002 vol 383 cc241-2W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures his Department has taken to ensure that winter fuel payments are not paid twice to the same household. [36920]

Malcolm Wicks

Many households are entitled to more than one winter fuel payment. This is because whether a person is entitled to a winter fuel payment and, if so, at what level, is determined by their personal circumstances in a set qualifying week. An individual who is the only eligible person in that household will receive £200. However, where an eligible person shares a household with another eligible person, each will be entitled to £100, unless income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance is in payment, when the winter fuel payment is £200 per benefit unit.

We have procedures in place to ensure that all eligible people in a household receive the correct level of winter fuel payment. The addresses on the various benefit computer systems are cross-referenced and matched against each other where appropriate. By doing this, the correct level of payment can be determined.

As a further check, we use staff with local knowledge to identify cases where the nature of the address may cause an incorrect level of payment to be issued.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether someone aged over 60 remains eligible for the winter fuel payment if they move to another EU country; and in what other circumstances a British person living abroad can claim the benefit. [46464]

Mr. McCartney

Department officials met recently with officials from the European Commission to discuss the extent of the Government's responsibilities regarding winter fuel payments under Community law. As a result, we expect to bring this matter to a close shortly.

Mrs. Gillan

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the answer of 12 March 2002,Official Report,column 959W, on winter fuel payments, if he has concluded his discussions with the European Commission about the extent of the United Kingdom's legal obligations under European regulations on winter fuel payments; and if he will make a statement. [48306]

Mr. McCartney

No, but we hope to do so as soon as possible.

Mr. Martyn Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Clwyd, South are in receipt of the winter fuel allowance. [41901]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

Figures for this year are not yet available. For details of last year's payments I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for South-East Cornwall (Mr. Breed) on 18 March 2002,Official Report,column 152W.