HC Deb 15 February 2001 vol 363 cc292-3W
Mr. Derek Twigg

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Halton have received the £200 Winter Fuel Payment. [150292]

Mr. Rooker

Winter Fuel Payments are made on a household basis. For the latest information available on the number of payments made in Halton, I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 31 January 2001,Official Report, column 238W.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many winter fuel applications were received from those aged 60 years or over on 19 September 1999; how many were received from 24 September 2000 to 31 January 2001; and how many had been processed by 31 January 2001; [150590]

(2) what the processing time is of applications made for a Winter Fuel Payment in respect of this and previous years; [150592]

(3) how many winter fuel applications were received between April 2000 and 22 September 2000; how many were received (a) from those reaching the age of 60 years between 27 September 1999 and 24 September 2000 and (b) from those aged 60 years or over on 19 September 1999; and what was the total processed in both categories. [150589]

Mr. Rooker

The administration of Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the right hon. Member.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Robert Maclennan, dated 15 February 2001: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent Parliamentary Questions asking how many Winter Fuel applications were received from those aged 60 or over on 19 September 1999; how many were received from 24 September 2000 to 31 January 2001; and how many had been processed by 31 January 2001. How Many Winter Fuel applications were received between April 2000 and 22 September 2000; how many were received (a) from those reaching the age of 60 years between 27 September 1999 and 24 September 2000 and (b) from those aged 60 years or over on 19 September 1999; and what was the total processed in both categories. Also what is the processing time of applications made for a winter fuel payment in respect of this and previous years. The information is not available in the format requested. Information that is available is as follows. Between April 2000 and 22 September 2000 1,185,131 claims forms were received and between 24 September 2000 and 31 January 2001 156,104 claims forms were received. As of 31 January 2001, approximately 1.1 million claims in respect of previous years and approximately 1.2 million winter 2000 claims had been processed. The total number of claims processed is higher than the number of forms received as a single claim form can potentially be a claim for both a Winter 2000 payment and payment for previous years. A straightforward Winter Fuel claim takes up to 10 days to process from the date of receipt by the Department. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Chope

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Mr. James Little will receive his Winter Fuel Payment. [150346]

Mr. Rooker

The administration of Winter Fuel Payments is a matter for Alexis Cleveland, the Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency. She will write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Alexis Cleveland to Mr. Christopher Chope, dated 14 February 2001: The Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to reply to your recent parliamentary question regarding Mr. James Little and when he will receive his Winter Fuel Payment (WFP). My enquiries into this matter have revealed that Mr. Little had not been sent his WFP at the correct time. This was due to a clerical oversight and I have written to Mr. Little to apologise for any inconvenience caused by the delay. I have, after the matter was brought to my attention, taken steps to ensure that Mr. Little's payment has been dealt with promptly and I can now confirm that it was posted (by first class mail) on 9 February.

Mr. Maclennan

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will undertake additional national advertising to alert men who on 24 September 2000 were over 60 years of age of their possible entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments for this and past years; and if he will make a statement. [150591]

Mr. Rooker

I refer the right hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Galloway and Upper Nithsdale (Mr. Morgan) on 15 January 2001,Official Report, column 79W.