20/08/2003

New applications urged for winter fuel payments

It may be warm now, but Pensions Minister Malcolm Wicks today urged older people who have not previously received a Winter Fuel Payment to apply for assistance as new applications received before 19 September will get their payment in time for Christmas.

Around 11 million people will automatically receive their Winter Fuel Payment this year, worth at least £200 per household. And this year, for the first time, anyone aged 80 or over may get an extra payment of up to £100.

Mr Wicks said: "We've been enjoying a hot summer and winter seems a long way off, but I want to tell people aged 60 and over that the government will be ensuring many of them have a warmer winter again this year, with the help of the Winter Fuel Payment.

"This winter about eight million households will benefit from the £200 Winter Fuel Payment, worth around £4 a week. And around two million people in these households will also receive the new 80+ Annual Payment of up to £100. This means their household will receive a total payment of £300.

"If you haven't received a Winter Fuel Payment before, and won't be a receiving a social security benefit in the qualifying week, you will need to claim."

Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 21 September 2003 may qualify.

(gmcg)

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