Older people urged to remember to claim Winter Fuel Payments
Officially it may still be summer, but the Minister for pensions reform, Mike O'Brien, is urging older people to get their applications for Winter Fuel Payments.Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 23 September 2007 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of £200 per household and those households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of £300 to help cover the high costs of heating their home.Mr O'Brien said: "Older people shouldn't have to worry about heating their home. "Over eight million households will benefit from the £200 Winter Fuel Payment this winter, with those containing someone aged over 80 receiving £300."We don't want anyone to miss out on the help they are entitled to."If you haven't received a Winter Fuel Payment before - and are not receiving State Pension or another social security benefit - you need to apply." People who normally receive the payment automatically, but have had a change of circumstances since last year, should contact the Pension Service to ensure their payments continue.
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