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<p /> <p>The Government intends to bring in an eligibility criterion derived from
average winter temperatures, with payments going only to eligible people living in
EEA countries with cold climates. The regulations establishing Winter Fuel Payments
for 2015/16 will include the new eligibility condition. These regulations are made
annually under the Social Security Contributions & Benefits Act 1992, and those
for winter 2015/16 will be made in the current Parliament.</p><p> </p><p>Since 1 June
2014, we have received two Parliamentary Questions, twenty one items of Ministerial
or official correspondence and four Freedom of Information requests relating to the
future of Winter Fuel Payments in France. Following the European Court ruling in the
Stewart case, Winter Fuel Payments are made to those with a “genuine and sufficient
link” to the UK, rather than – as previously – being restricted to those who had previously
received a Payment in the UK.</p>
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