Applicants Encouraged For Winter Fuel Payment

The Department for Social Development is urging people born on or before 5 January 1952, who have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before, to pick up the phone and check if they are eligible.

Department Minister Nelson McCausland said: "With winter fast approaching it is imperative that older people get all the support they need to be able to meet the costs of their heating bills. Winter Fuel Payments are paid to those people born on or before 5 January 1952. Many people may not realise that you do not need to be claiming benefits to qualify for this extra money.

"Previous recipients of Winter Fuel Payments will automatically receive their payment before Christmas and if you were in receipt of State Pension or certain other benefits during the week of 16-22 September 2013 you will also receive it automatically."

The benefits that ensure that a person will receive an automatic payment are Income Support, State Pension Credit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance, State Pension, Widows Benefit, Bereavement Benefit, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Industrial Injuries Benefits and War Pensions.

The Minister continued: "However, some older people who have never before received a Winter Fuel Payment and who were not receiving State Pension or certain benefits on the qualifying week, will need to apply. I would therefore encourage all of these people born on or before 5 January 1952 to contact the Winter Fuel Payment helpline on 0845 9151 515 to check if they can make a claim."

Winter Fuel payments are £200 for those households with someone over women’s state pension age and £300 for those households with someone aged 80 or over. If there is more than one eligible claimant in the household the payment is split between them.

(IT/CD)