DWP confirms 'no plans' to introduce pro rata Winter Fuel Payment for older people who miss qualifying deadline

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has explained why it is not policy to give older people a pro rata payment from the annual Winter Fuel Payment, because they reach State Pension age - one of the key eligibility components - after the qualifying week in September.To be eligible for this year's Winter Fuel Payment, which includes the £300 pensioner cost of living payment, a person must have been born on or before September 25, 1956 and have lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of September 19 - 25, 2022 - this is determined to be the ‘qualifying week’.If you do not meet either of these qualifying criteria, or if you live abroad, you may need to make a claim for the benefit which provides additional support during the colder months.

Labour MP, Rachael Maskell, asked the DWP earlier this week why a pro rata payment policy was not in place. DWP Minister, Laura Trott MP, explained how over 11 million Winter Fuel Payments are made every year and that having a qualifying deadline allows the Department time to make the necessary eligibility checks.Ms Trott said: “Having a qualifying deadline for Winter Fuel Payments and other pension-related benefits allows the department time to undertake the required checks on entitlement, calculate an individual’s entitlement, issue notifications and commence making payments.”She added: “There are no plans to introduce pro rata payments.”Winter Fuel Payments were introduced in 1997 to help State Pension aged people pay their heating bills.

It is an annual tax-free payment of between £100 and £300, to those eligible, to help meet the costs of heating their homes in winter.This year’s payments are being topped up with a £300 pensioner cost of living payment which means