26th August 2008
LABOUR CANDIDATE URGES ELDERLY PEOPLE IN CLWYD WEST TO CLAIM EXTRA HELP FOR HEATING BILLS THIS WINTER
Donna Hutton, Labour’s Parliamentary Candidate for Clwyd West constituency, has urged older people to get their applications in for Winter Fuel Payments as quickly as possible. That way older people in towns like Colwyn Bay, Ruthin and Abergele will get their payments by Christmas.
Mrs Hutton said:
“Although it is still summer we have to think of the colder months ahead. I don’t want anyone to miss out on the help they are entitled to. If you haven’t received a Winter Fuel Payment before – and are not receiving State Pension or another social security benefit (other than Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Child Benefit) – you need to apply.
"I know things are tough at the moment and people are worried about energy bills. So I supported the Labour Government’s action to increase how much money older people get to help with heating costs.
"For households including someone aged 60-79 there will be an extra £50 this year – bringing the total up to £250. And households with someone aged 80 or over will receive an extra £100 this year – £400 in total - to help older people cope with higher energy costs.
"If you claim by 19 September you should receive your payment before Christmas.”
Mrs Hutton is also encouraging people to look at other ways to save money on heating bills.
“Now is also the ideal time of year to check on the energy efficiency of your home. Proper insulation can make a real difference to your bills. It's hard to believe but as much as £1 in every £3 spent on heating bills is wasted in poorly insulated homes.
“I would also encourage people to contact their energy suppliers to see whether they qualify for a reduced tariff and find out what they provide to improve energy efficiency.
“Customers should also shop around and consider switching their energy supplier as different firms offer different tariffs. You can save a lot by switching and most people will save £130-150 in total.”
ENDS.
FURTHER INFORMATION
- The Winter Fuel Payment is one of a number of initiatives Labour has introduced to help older people keep warm and well during the winter months.
- Anyone aged 60 or over on or before 21 September 2008 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment of £250 per household. Households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of £400.
- People over 60 who are newly eligible and who need to claim, and have not already received a claim form, can get one by visiting the Winter Fuel Payment website www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/winterfuel, or by calling the helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).
- The final deadline for completed Winter Fuel Payment claim forms for this winter is 30 March 2009.
- Eligible people who will receive their Winter Fuel Payment automatically include:
- those who received a payment last year and whose circumstances have not changed.
- those who have never received a Winter Fuel Payment before but will receive a State Pension or other social security benefit (but not Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit or Child Benefit) in the qualifying week 15-21 September 2008.
- People who normally receive Winter Fuel Payments automatically, but have had a change of circumstances since last years payment, must contact The Pension Service to ensure their payments continue. This could include a change in bank account, a new address or a change in benefit entitlement.
- DEFRA’s Warm Front scheme, improves home heating and energy efficiency. Warm Front Grants are available in England only; other schemes operate in Scotland (Central Heating Programme and Warm Deal) and Wales (Home energy Efficiency Scheme).
- You can call Eaga Partnership, the Warm Front Scheme Manager on freephone 0800 316 6011, textphone 0800 072 0156 (from 8.00am to 6.00pm Monday to Friday).
- For more information on keeping warm and well this winter people can visit www.direct.gov.uk/keepwarm.