Pensioners 'frozen out' on vital cold weather benefits

4.20.00pm GMT Fri 15th Jan 2010

The Liberal Democrats have found that Pensioners are missing out on essential cold weather payments from the Government. Highlighting yet another Labour failure, Prospective Lib Dem MP, Dr. Jo Crotty identified that roughly 50% of eligible pensioners in Warrington are missing out on vital cold weather payments.

The current cold snap is one of the worst in the last half century creating conditions that can and do prove fatal to vulnerable people, with pensioners badly hit.

The Government offers cold weather payments of £25 per week towards heating costs to some pensioners, if they already receive benefits such as the "Pension Credit".

Jo pointed out that the Government's over reliance on the benefits website direct.gov.UK, excludes people without computers and internet access which is the case for many pensioners. As a result, some pensioners are left with no idea what they are entitled to or how to access the money they are entitled to.

Prospective Lib Dem MP for Warrington South, Dr. Jo Crotty said:

"It is unacceptable that some of the most vulnerable people in our town do not have access to these basic benefits.

"Every eligible pensioner ought to be clearly informed of what they're entitled to, rather than just expecting them to 'google it'.

"These vital benefits are here to provide a crucial safety net for those on the breadline, they should be readily available."

The lack of decent information means that currently, 2250 eligible pensioners in Warrington South and 2620 in Warrington North are not claiming their cold weather payments. This is roughly half of all eligible pensioners in Warrington, and nationally, 1.7 million pensioners are missing out.

This is yet another let down at the end of a long line of social benefit failures from the Labour government. Jo added that it is essential to make sure that we help everyone during the harsh weather. With fuel prices for the average pensioner's home currently reaching up to £1,400 per year these payments could literally make the difference between life and death.