Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of moving the date of eligibility for over 80’s winter fuel allowance to the start of the financial year.

A person is entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment based on their circumstances in the week beginning on the third Monday in September (known as the qualifying week). This ensures that entitlement relies, among other things, on their age during that week, and it means that most people receive their payment before Christmas. If the qualifying week were moved to the start of the financial year, then those reaching the age of 80 after that week would not receive the higher rate of £300 until the winter after their 81st birthday.