Pensioners 'frozen out' on Cold Weather Payments

11.41.47pm GMT Mon 8th Feb 2010

Thousands of Pensioners in Preston will miss out on Cold Weather Payments

As many as 3,000+ pensioners in Preston could miss out on cold weather payments triggered by the recent weather, according to analysis of government figures by the Liberal Democrats.

Cold weather payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive qualifying benefit such as Pension Credit. However, as many as 1.7 million pensioners across the Country fail to claim for such benefits.

Preston's LibDem candidate at the General Election, Mark Jewell, said, "It is a scandal that pensioners on the breadline are missing out on these payments.

"Fuel prices are at an all time high making cold weather payments all the more important to people already struggling on a poverty pension.

"Labour have failed pensioners by creating complicated systems that makes it difficult for them to get the help they desperately need.

"The government should be making every effort to identify pensioners who miss out and get them this extra cash."

If you think you or an elderly relative are missing out on benefits then please call 01772 533504 for advice.