The winter fuel payments system, like the benefits system in general, is difficult to understand. Many pensioners miss out on benefits they are entitled to. Read this now to make sure you are not one of them this winter...
Winter Fuel Payments are paid automatically and do not depend on how cold it gets but the question of how much you get depends on whether or not you receive income support. There are two rates of Winter Fuel Payment, £20 and £50. You must be receiving income support before 9 November to get the higher payment.
If you qualify for the £50 payment it will be paid at the end of November. If you qualify for the £20 you will receive it during January 1999. Pensioners who receive the basic state pension (or several other benefits) but not income support should get in touch with the Benefits Agency (Inverness 663500) to make sure you are not missing out.
Age Concern Scotland said: "Between 34-40% of Scottish pensioners who are entitled to income support fail to claim it and they are already losing out on an average of £16.10 a week ... we would urge pensioners to find out if they are entitled to receive income support and to put in a claim now to ensure that they receive their full £50 payment."
There is a national Winter Fuel Payments Helpline. The number is 0645 15 15 15. Calls are charged at local rates.
Cold weather payments are in addition to winter fuel payments. A payment of £8.50 is made to vulnerable groups who receive Income Support or income-based Job Seeker’s Allowance during periods of very cold weather.
A cold weather payment will be made automatically to those who qualify when the average temperature over seven consecutive days is recorded as, or forecast to be, 0 degrees Celsius or below at the specified weather station for the area you live in. So far it has not been cold enough to trigger the payments.
Inverness Councillors are sending a Christmas present to some of the town’s pensioners and disabled people.
Pensioners who have no other income but a state pension and income support are entitled to £22 and people who are registered as disabled will be given £12.
There are strict rules about who qualifies for the money. Application forms are available from the Highland Council Service Point on Church Street and should be returned by Friday 4 December. Those who qualify for the money will be given a cheque. The Council have agreed to exchange the cheques for cash at the Service Point for people who do not have a bank or building society account.
The money is awarded from the Inverness Common Good Fund and another benevolent fund which the council can use. The winter payments are a tradition which the Inverness Area Committee is pleased to be able to continue for another year. Last year £58,000 was awarded to people living in the town.