| Are Inverclyde Residents Losing Out on the Winter Fuel Allowance? |
| Thursday, 04 December 2008 | |
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Dr Bill Wilson, SNP MSP for the West of Scotland, has expressed his astonishment that a problem with the computer system of the Department of Works and Pensions (DWP) has still to be remedied after the SNP highlighted the glitch in 2001. The system used to pay pensioners entitled to the Winter Fuel Allowance (WFA) does not recognise individual households within tenements. This means that some of those entitled to the payment receive half the payment they are due if there are residents in the same set of flats also entitled to the benefit.
For pensioners between 60-79 years of age, if there is more than one individual in a household entitled to the payment it would be correct for them to receive just £125 each but they should receive £250 if they are the only person in a household entitled to the payment.
Speaking on the issue, Bill said:
“I have heard of cases where someone has received only half the amount they are due because someone in the flat above them is also entitled to the allowance. The DWP have stated they have been working to resolve the problem, but it still exists for a number of people.
“This is unacceptable. The SNP highlighted this problem seven years ago. Tenements have been a traditional way of housing people in Scotland for decades, and tenements and flats make up around one quarter of the nation’s housing stock. There are certainly many of them in Inverclyde, an area I represent.
“I do wonder if the problem would have been resolved by now if the issue had special significance elsewhere in the UK.
“I advise all those entitled to the payment to make sure they are receiving the correct amount.”
Notes to Editors
1. Concerned individuals can contact the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users), or the Scottish Helpline for Older People on 0845 125 9732.
2. The SNP raised the issue of underpayment of the winter fuel allowance due to the number of Scots pensioners living in tenement flats in 2001. https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1729031.stm
3. Winter Fuel Payments (Answered 22nd Jan 2002) Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in tenements in Scotland have received half their entitlement to the winter fuel payment because of a computer error relating to residents in separate tenement flats at the same street number; and what action is being taken to ensure they are paid their full entitlement as soon as possible and that the problem will not recur.
Mr. McCartney: To ensure all eligible people in a household receive the correct level of winter fuel payment, the addresses are matched to ascertain how many people live at each address. The Department is aware that there have been problems regarding people living in tenements in Scotland and, to alleviate this, the Department clerically matches the addresses in areas where there are many tenement flats. This should ensure that the correct payment is made, and this system ought to prevent problems reoccurring. We are unable to provide the figure in the form requested but where an underpayment has come to light, corrective action has been taken. |
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