§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps are being taken to encourage men aged between 60 and 65 to apply for the winter fuel allowance for the 2003–04 winter. [142833]
§ Malcolm WicksEach year, we are able to identify most men who are likely to become newly eligible for a winter fuel payment using current departmental records and they are sent claim forms automatically with an invitation to make a claim.
An extensive publicity campaign is carried out from June each year and continues throughout the year. The campaign includes: advertisements in national and local press; a leaflet and poster made available in a variety of venues, a dedicated Winter Fuel Payment Helpline and information on the internet.
Where a person needs to claim, it is up to them whether they do so. They have until 30 March 2004 to make their claim for this winter.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets have been set for the number of men aged between 60 and 65 to apply for the 2003–04 Winter Fuel Allowance. [142834]
§ Malcolm WicksWe expect all those entitled who are not paid automatically, including men aged between 60 and 64, to claim their entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments. In order to achieve full take up we issue claim forms to all those in the target group and publicise the availability of Winter Fuel Payments.
So far 172,790 claim forms have been issued to men aged 60–64 for this winter. All those who need to claim have until 30 March 2004 to do so.
Note:
1. Figures rounded to the nearest five.
2. Information to identify those likely to be entitled was extracted from the Departmental Central Index based on post codes.
§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what plans he has to revise the qualifying week for winter fuel payments; [142835]
(2) for what reason his Department chose 21 September as the final qualifying date for the 2003–04 winter fuel payment. [142836]
476W
§ Malcolm Wicks:There are no current plans to change the winter fuel payment qualifying week.
The qualifying week is set in legislation for the third week in September to enable the Department to establish the correct amount of winter fuel payment and make automatic payments to the vast majority of those entitled at the time the payment is most needed.
§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many winter fuel payment claim forms have been issued in 2003 in the Perth constituency; and how many claim forms have been submitted. [142654]
§ Malcolm WicksThe number of winter fuel payment claim forms issued so far this year to people who are likely to become eligible for a winter fuel payment in the Perth constituency is 696, and of those 446 have been returned.
We are publicising the availability of winter fuel payments and how to obtain a claim form. Those who need to claim for this winter have until 30 March 2004 to do so.
Note:Information to identify those likely to be entitled was extracted from the Departmental Central Index based on postcodes.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Winter Fuel Payment claim forms have been issued in 2003 in(a) Merseyside and (b) St. Helens; and how many claim forms have been submitted. [142716]
§ Malcolm WicksThe number of Winter Fuel Payment claim forms issued so far this year to people who are likely to become eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment in Merseyside is 31,005, and of those 20,698 have been returned.
The number of Winter Fuel Payment claim forms issued so far this year to people who are likely to become eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment in St. Helens is 2,133, and of those 1,547 have been returned.
We are publicising the availability of Winter Fuel Payments and how to obtain a claim form. Those who need to claim for this winter have until 30 March 2004 to do so.
Note:Information to identify those likely to be entitled was extracted from the Departmental Central Index based on post codes.