HC Deb 23 January 2001 vol 361 cc504-5W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when Ms Williams of Tate and Mrs. Gosling of Chipping Sodbury, whose national insurance numbers have been supplied, will receive their Winter Fuel Payments for winter 2000. [146479]

Mr. Rooker

This 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. Steve Webb, dated 22 January 2001: The Parliamentary Secretary of State for Social Security has asked me to respond to your recent Parliamentary Question asking when Ms Williams of Tate and Mrs Gosling of Chipping Sodbury, whose national insurance numbers have been supplied, will receive their Winter Fuel Payments (WFP) for winter 2000. Ms Williams' WFP for 2000 was automatically sent to her home address and would have been delivered before Christmas 2000. If she has not received this payment she should contact the local Benefits Agency office who will take the necessary replacement action. Technical problems prevented Mrs Gosling from receiving her WFP for 2000 automatically, therefore, the payment has been issued clerically and will be delivered by 27 January 2001. Corrective action will be taken to ensure payment for 2001 will be sent on time. I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Swinney

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what his reasons are choosing 12 December 2000 as the qualifying date for the winter fuel allowance. [146992]

Mr. Rooker

The date of 12 December 2000 has no relevance to the payment of the Winter Fuel Payment.

To enable the right payments to be made before Christmas and avoid the Christmas post various processes need to be completed. These require a qualifying week of 18–24 September 2000.

Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what complaints he has received regarding the clarity of Part 2 of the claim form for Winter Fuel Payment; and if he will make a statement. [146611]

Mr. Rooker

The helpline dealt with a number of people requiring help, but details are not recorded separately. We are currently designing a new set of forms for 2001. If the hon. Member has a particular aspect in mind perhaps he will write to me.