Claim your winter fuel payment says MP Rowen

Date published: 05 September 2007

Paul Rowen, Rochdale MP and Lib Dem Shadow Minister for Work and Pensions, has called for older people to claim their winter fuel payments. If Rochdale pensioners apply before Friday 21 September they will receive help heating their home before Christmas.

Paul Rowen MP said: "The winter fuel payment scheme is a good idea and means that many of our most vulnerable residents receive help heating their home.

"It is important that anyone eligible for this gets their application in. I know that the weather is not too cold at present but people need to be aware of the deadline of 21 September if you want the money by Christmas."

Cabinet Member for Older People, Councillor Pauline Maguire, said: "I know that with the rising cost of gas and electricity that many pensioners struggle to make ends meet. That is why it is absolutely imperative for people claiming this allowance. It is worth £200 if you are over 60 and £300 if you are over 80 and this is per household. I know that residents welcome this extra assistance so please make sure you apply."

Elderly residents are also eligible for Cold Weather Payments when the temperature is, or is forecast to be, 0 degrees Centigrade or below over seven days in a row at a given weather station.

Paul Rowen MP was keen to point out the difference between the Winter Fuel Payment and Cold Weather Payments. He said: "The Winter Fuel Payment is automatically paid irrespective of weather conditions and the Cold Weather Payment is conditional on the temperature. It is slightly confusing but the Cold Weather Payment is paid automatically through your pension and you have to apply for the Winter Fuel Payment."

Rochdale's MP described the Cold Weather Payments Scheme as a 'Post-Code Lottery' last year when it emerged that some Rochdale pensioners were actually missing out. Mr Rowen was contacted by a number of local residents in the OL11 post-code area when it emerged that they were losing out. He outlined the situation where some people were receiving the payments and others were not.

This was a result of temperatures taken from different stations. The Government then decided to link the OL11 postcodes to the Bingley weather station rather than Woodford; this meant that last year hundreds more Rochdale residents benefited as the Cold Weather Payment was triggered and helped people pay extra heating costs when there was a spell of cold weather.