Winter Fuel Payment 2014/2015

A question about : Winter Fuel Payment 2014/2015

I will be eligible to claim the Winter Fuel Payment for the coming Winter but am not yet receiving a state pension or benefits. Looking at the form it says Please fill in your name, address or date of birth and If you fill in your date of birth on the claim form, we need to see your original birth certificate. Elsewhere it says You will need to send your original birth certificate with this form. (My emphases)

I can provide a National Insurance Number and have been sending tax returns for umpteen years so they already know my date of birth. (unless I began planning a con 40+ years ago!). My personal information can also be found on credit reference agency files.

I have had experience of mail getting lost in the post and of forms sent to HMRC being returned in tatters so I am very reluctant to send an original birth certificate. A certified copy perhaps.

Has anyone tried claiming by phone? Does one always have to post an original birth certificate or not?

https://www.gov.uk/government/public...ent-claim-form

Best answers:

• Is this not paid automatically ? I don't remember having to apply for mine.
  The government website says you need to fill in a form if the payment is not made automatically.
• I was mailed an invitation to apply for winter fuel payment applied by phone and was not asked for proof of DOB.
• Any birth certificate you have is a certified copy, the original is in the register.
  So when they say 'original', they mean not a photocopy.
• Hi,
  I'm having a job working out when my husband qualifies. He's 62 soon, but according to his birth date, he doesn't qualify till he's around 64.
  If though, he can't receive it until a woman reaches state pension age, does this mean me? I'm 56 and don't reach pension age until I'm 66? So will he not get it until then? I just find the whole thing so confusing.
  I've just realized too, that the utility bills are in my name only.
  Thanks,
  Candy.
• It means the State Pension age of a woman born the same day as him.
  https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility
• I receive my state-pension in 5 weeks time, I received a letter this week inviting me to claim the WFA 2014/15 over the phone which I did. Just asked to details NI number date of birth then asked if I expected to be in a care home, custody or hospital a certain week in September assuming they would not pay you in these senarios but as I cann't see into the future any of the above 'could' happen. I asked if I have to apply each year the young man said no now you are on the system it will be automatic.
• Applying by phone seems to be the way to do it but avoid the 0845 number given in the letter.
  The website gives an alternate landline number 0191 218 7777 that seems to work. Perversely if you call this landline number from a mobile it says that you'll be charged. I've checked my bill, no charge.
  The government was ordered to move away from using 0845 numbers for services "particularly for vulnerable and low-income groups" in December 2013. See link below. Looks like the DWP are a bit slow.
  Sorry no link search BBC news 0845
  See the .gov website at
  Sorry no link search winter fuel payments but avoid the Northern Ireland nigov sites! Same rules different contact points.
  The philosophical question about whether you'll be in hospital or jail on a date in September must complicate the calls no end. Was interesting to discover the special status of Ilford Park though.
  Oh, the phone lines are clogged at the moment due to the letters going out. They took my name about 17:00 last night and promised a call back this morning. That pig is yet to fly.
• No phone call. Rang em back. Got told it's all automatic so no need to register and to let them know in December if it does not turn up.
  What's the point of the letter?? to keep us informed.
• "Was interesting to discover the special status of Ilford Park though. "
  WMHarry. What is the reference to Ilford Park ? I was born in Ilford.
  Have applied 2 x on line for my WFP and received nothing. Seems ot phone is best then ?
• Isn't it a service home for Polish folks. Perhaps they don't get things, or even they may get things others don't. It does seem strange that it's singled out. Do the residents of Chelsea hospital, for instance get the WFP? Looks like it might be in Devon, not Ilford.