winter fuel payments

[roda_bob]

When I first moved to Greece in 2003 I received the winter fuel payment. Since then I have had nothing. How can I regiester for the payment, and is it back dated?

[New Judge]

The full low-down on this can be found on the Dept for Work & Pensions website:

http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel /livingabroad.asp

Among the FAQs there is this:

I have lived outside the UK for more than a year. Can I claim payments for past years?

If you left the UK after qualifying for a Winter Fuel Payment, and you normally live (or, in the year you are claiming for, you lived) in another EEA country outside the UK, you may be able to get Winter Fuel Payments for past years.

There are no time limits for claiming for the years 1998/1999 and 1999/2000. Time limits apply for a Winter Fuel Payment for 2000/01 onwards. Winter Fuel Payments became available at different times in different countries, and payment sometimes depends on other factors including your nationality.

(The full details of this last bit are on the website, but looking at it I think you will be eligible to claim for all years)

There was an interesting question on AB in the past few days regarding the �morality� of ex-pats receiving this allowance:

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question50 5095.html

By the way, I notice that your question has gone unanswered for a day or two. You will note that the �politics� category on AB is not well frequented. (I think the title is an immediate turn-off for many people). You might be better off avoiding it for future questions!

[Old Salt]

Don't know about you guys, but I am getting very close to "bad-news overload."

Every newspaper, magazine, and new broadcast seems to warn of imminent annihilation, doom, gloom, death, pestilence, etc.

To keep my blood pressure at a life-sustaining level, I am restricted to watching or reading news stories, for no more than ten minutes in any one hour period.

Just about maintains my sanity..................this is highly debatable in certain circles.

And how I dread 'Emergency Appeals," my name must be on everyone's list, as I get at least five or six each post, as well as e-mails.
Old Salt