British ex-pats in Spain claim £3.5m in Winter Fuel Payments

PALMA
ALTHOUGH the sun is still shining, winter is just around the corner, and it can be very cold indeed in Majorca, so British expatriates should be thinking about claiming winter fuel payments from the Winter Fuel Payment Centre in Cardiff.

To qualify for a payment for this winter, the pensioner must be receiving their state pension during the week September 17 to 23 2007. Payments are normally made from November onwards for a period of several weeks and all applications for winter 2007-08 must be received by March 30, 2008. The payment, to which all state pensioners over the age of 60 are eligible, does not affect any other benefits received.

However, these payments can only be claimed if the person received them in the United Kingdom, before moving to the island.
Last winter, British expatriates claimed more than £6.5 million in winter fuel payments , more than half of it to expatriates living in Spain. The next highest population was in France with just over £1.5 million.

Tony Wilcox, managing director of Bank of Scotland International, said: “Even though many expatriates choose to escape the colder months in the UK by moving to a warmer climate, their fuel bills are still likely to increase during winter. Many expatriates do not realise that they are still eligible to receive a Winter Fuel Payment depsite living overseas.” He added “When moving to a new coutnry, it is important to plan finances carefully and see what benefits are available before moving.”