Winter fuel payment

BALLYMENA councillor Monica Digney has urged people who have recently become eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment to ensure that they are going to get it by contacting the dedicated helpline.

By The Newsroom

Published 9th Sep 2010, 14:27 BST

Updated 10th Sep 2010, 15:43 BST

The Sinn Fein councillor said: "In recent years there have been a high number of pensioners that were entitled to the Winter Fuel Payment but were never paid it due to confusion emanating from the Department for Social Development. To ensure that this does not happen again, I am urging people that have not received a Winter Fuel Payment before to contact the Pension Service on 08459151515 to check their eligibility.

"Anyone born on or before July 5, 1950 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of 250 per household. Households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of 400.

“I would encourage people to be proactive and check they are on the list before September 24, to ensure payment before Christmas or to inform the authorities of a change in circumstances such as bank details or address.”

Ballymena Sinn Fein