Question concerning the Winter Fuel Payment for a mixed aged couple.

brian1971

I am of pension age and my wife is not. She receives Income Related Employment and Support Allowance and I receive the monthly state pension. Last year I received the Winter Fuel Payment and this year it appears I might not. I rang the Winter Fuel Payment office was advised to ring the ESA office for advice. The lady I spoke with said I was entitled to the payment, paused for a moment, and said I was not. This was not the clarity I was seeking. I appreciate that the lady I spoke with was not a proper adviser on this matter of course. I wondered if anybody here can shed some light. If I need to add further information about the circumstances of my wife and I that is fine. Many thanks in advance for any information.

poppy123456

If your wife’s ESA is definitely income related then I would expect you to be named on her claim and your state pension would be deducted in full.

This would mean you will be entitled to the WFP. If her ESA is all contributions based then there would be no entitlement.

brian1971

Once again, so many thanks Poppy. My wife gets income related and contribution based esa. So that means I will not get the Winter Fuel Payment. Thank you for the clarification.

poppy123456

You're welcome but you're not correct. As her ESA is a mixture of both, then you will be entitled to it. When an ESA claim is a mixture of both CB and Income Related it is known as an Income Related claim.

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility

brian1971

Many thanks Poppy. I am pleased to be corrected :) I will ring the office concerning to the WFP.

poppy123456

You're welcome. The link I posted says if you don't receive a payment by 29th January then you need to ring them.

brian1971

OK will do :)