Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the eligibility of households that rely on heating oil as their primary source of home heating for support through the Winter Fuel Payment.

Winter Fuel Payments are paid to all pensioners in England and Wales. They provide a lump sum payment to the majority of pensioners quickly and automatically, without the need for a claim and irrespective of the source of home heating.

Other support is available through Cold Weather Payments which are targeted at those who are more vulnerable to severe weather such as older people, disabled people, and children under five who receive qualifying income-related benefits. Payments are made from 1 November to 31 March when the average temperature in the eligible recipient’s postcode area is recorded as (or forecast to be) 0°C or below over seven consecutive days.

The Warm Home Discount is also available to eligible low-income households, who pay their electricity bill directly to a participating domestic supplier, including those off the gas grid.