Two days left to claim Winter Fuel Payments
North Cornwall’s MP, Dan Rogerson, is today (Wednesday) reminding pensioners that they have just two days left to make their claims to a Winter Fuel Payment
Anyone aged over 60 is entitled to the payment of between £100 and £300 – depending on age and circumstances – to help with rising energy prices. Most are paid automatically but pensioners who do not receive any state benefits need to apply using a claim form. Last year 311,900 people claimed the payment in this way, and the cut off point for them to do so this year is on Friday.
The Liberal Democrat MP says the system is far too complex, and does nothing to help pensioners’ energy efficiency, which could save them far more than the annual payment. In a recent Parliamentary Question, he asked Ministers to reveal how many of those eligible do not receive the payment but the Government says it can’t be sure because they can’t tell how many pensioners are in prison, in hospital or subject to immigration controls.
Commenting, Mr Rogerson said:
“Many pensioners really welcome this payment – whether or not it is spent on fuel. But these arrangements for claiming are transparently too complex if Ministers can’t even judge how many potential claimants are going without.
“I’d urge anyone over 60 who hasn’t received the payment to get in touch with the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline urgently.
“Liberal Democrats would introduce Energy Saver Packages to offer special discounts to encourage pensioners to use their Winter Fuel Payments to insulate their homes, saving them over £100 every year, and cutting the high levels of winter deaths amongst older people.
“In the Tory years too many pensioners had to choose between heating and eating. The current scheme has helped some older people, but our approach would do much more to ensure fewer old people die needlessly each year for want of much-needed warmth.”
