28,000 pensioners expected to miss out on cold weather payments

12.00.00am GMT Tue 12th Jan 2010

Analysis of Government figures by the Liberal Democrats reveals that up to 28,000 pensioners in Norfolk will miss out on Cold Weather Payments triggered by the recent weather. Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit which nationally goes unclaimed by as many as 1.7m pensioners.

Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Norwich South, said:

"This payment is in place to support the poorest pensioners pay their fuel bills after a period of particularly cold weather. Fuel prices are higher than ever and some pensioners are in the appalling situation of having to choose between paying to keep their heating on or to put food on their plates. For these people, this extra financial support could be a real lifeline.

"It's therefore outrageous that so many of those in greatest need are not benefiting from the cold weather payments. Up to 28,000 pensioners in Norfolk living in or near poverty are expected to miss out.

"The Government must urgently act to do all it can to identify those people who are missing out an make sure that they get these payments."