Veteran, 94, in fuel subsidy row

Only people living in non-supported accommodation receive subsidies

A 94-year-old World War II veteran has vowed to hand back his medals over a disputed winter fuel allowance claim.

Bob McGowan, from Portsmouth, says he is being denied a £300 subsidy for the 2007/8 winter because he moved into his flat a day after the qualifying period.

People over 60 receive subsidies if they are in independent homes during the qualifying week every September.

Previously he had been living in a supported home, which the government said would have met the fuel costs.

Mr McGowan moved into his own flat on 24 September 2007.

Residents of care homes are not entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment because heating costs are met by the Local Authority Department for Work and Pensions

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said he did not therefore meet the criteria of living in an independent home during the qualifying week between 17 and 23 September 2007.

It added he also did not qualify for payments that year because he had been living in supported accommodation for more than 13 weeks by the end of the qualifying week.

Mr McGowan, who won the Burma Star, the Africa Star, the War Medal 1939 to 1945, the 1939-1945 Star and the Defence Medal, has written to the government as has Mike Hancock, MP for Portsmouth South.

The 94-year-old has said he will post the medals to 10 Downing Street unless he receives an apology from Prime Minister Gordon Brown.

"I hope he won't hand his medals back. The whole thing is stupid really," Mr Hancock said.

'Do the right thing'

"He didn't qualify by that one day, it was just because it was a weekend."

He added Mr McGowan had been forced to move that day, and not earlier, because he needed help.

"I will go to Brown myself on his behalf and say 'Come on, do yourself a favour and do the right thing'.

"It's the 11th tomorrow and the Prime Minister ought to think seriously about what he can do in this matter."

The DWP said: "People who are aged 60 or over during a qualifying week every year will receive a winter fuel payment automatically.

"Over 12 million people receive real help with their fuel bills this way.

"Residents of care homes are not entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment because heating costs are met by the Local Authority."