3,900 local pensioners to miss out on cold weather payments says Andrew George MP

Please note: this article was originally posted on 15.01.2010

Up to 3,900 pensioners in the West Cornwall and Scilly constituency will miss out on Cold Weather Payments despite recent freezing conditions, according to a Liberal Democrat analysis of Government figures. Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. 1.7m pensioners across the country who are likely to be eligible do not claim the credit, because the necessary forms are too complicated and/or because they involve revealing substantial details of the applicant’s personal finances.

“Fuel prices are at an all time high” said Andrew George. “Cold Weather Payments are even more important to people who already struggle on a poverty pension. The Government is holding back £42.5m in cash which should be going to keep people warm this winter. Ministers should make greater effort to identify pensioners who are missing out and need the extra cash they are entitled to.” he added that, “3,900 of them are right here in West Cornwall and Scilly.”