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<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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