As around 60,000 letters containing the wrong information are landing on doormats across the country, Stockton North MP, Alex Cunningham, is urging Winter Fuel Allowance recipients to make sure their details are correct and avoid missing out on the money they are entitled to.
MoneySavingExpert.com has reported that around 59,000 letters containing wrong bank details have been sent to Winter Fuel Allowance recipients from the Department of Work and Pensions. A further set of letters have been sent out containing the wrong level of entitlement – based on incorrect data such as who is living in the household.
Advice has now been issued on what to do if anyone has received incorrect information in their letter:
- If your bank details are incorrect, the DWP are assuring people that this will be corrected and people don’t need to do anything;
- If anyone has been quoted the wrong entitlement the DWP is asking them to get in touch (on the details provided in the letter) as soon as possible.
Alex said:
“Due to the Coronavirus pandemic most of us have spent the majority of 2020 in our own homes, increasing our energy usage. Winter Fuel Allowance is a lifeline to many older people and the DWP need to act fast to rectify their mistake.
“Fortunately, the majority of people who received a letter containing incorrect information don’t have to do anything. However if anyone has received the wrong entitlement they need to urgently contact the DWP to ensure they get the correct payment.”
Winter Fuel Allowance is available to anyone aged 66 and over from 5 October 2020 and who has lived in the UK for one day between 21 and 27 September 2020. Payments are between £100-£300 based on eligibility. People are urged to get in touch with their local DWP office if they receive nothing by 13 January 2021.
More information can be found on: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/12/winter-fuel-payments-letters-confusion/.
