Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, for what reason it is not his policy to allow people who would be entitled to (a) winter fuel support payments and (b) other pension-related benefits but missed the qualifying deadline to claim a pro rata payment.

The Department pays over 11m Winter Fuel Payments every year. Having a qualifying deadline for Winter Fuel Payments and other pension-related benefits allows the department time to undertake the required checks on entitlement, calculate an individual’s entitlement, issue notifications and commence making payments.

There are no plans to introduce pro rata payments.