Written question asked by Steve Webb (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 4 December 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 December 2003. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Thursday, 18 December 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many winter fuel payment claim forms have been issued in 2003; and how many claim forms were submitted before 19th September in order for people to receive their payment before Christmas, broken down by (a) region and (b) constituency. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many winter fuel payment claim forms have been issued in 2003; and how many claim forms were submitted before 19 September 2003 in order for people to receive their payment before Christmas, broken down by (a) region and (b) constituency. [143081] Malcolm Wicks: The information is not readily available in the format requested but will be provided to the hon. Member and placed in the Library when it becomes available. However, the number of claim forms issued so far to people in Great Britain likely to become entitled for the first time to a Winter Fuel Payment is 302,353 and 171,547 claim forms were returned before 19 September 2003. We are publicising the availability of Winter Fuel Payments and how to obtain a claim form. Those who need to claim for this winter have until 30 March 2004 to do so. Notes: Information to identify those likely to be entitled was extracted from the Departmental Central Index based on post codes.

Secondary information