Moore demands extension of winter fuel payment to disabled people (Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats)

Aberdeen North Liberal Democrats <anne.carmichael@btinternet.com>

Moore demands extension of winter fuel payment to disabled people

February 10, 2009 4:29 PM
Originally published by Scottish Liberal Democrats

Borders MP Michael Moore and his Liberal Democrat colleagues are calling on the Government to extend the Winter Fuel Payment scheme to include severely disabled people.

Government figures obtained by Mr Moore show that almost 2,500 vulnerable people in his constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk would be eligible for the Winter Fuel Allowance if the Government agreed to extend the scheme to those who claim the Disability Living Allowance because of high-level mobility problems.

Mr Moore said:

"Winter Fuel Payments are designed to help the most vulnerable in society meet the costs of keeping warm this winter, but this currently only includes those over 60 years old. My constituents who have mobility problems are just as likely to be vulnerable to the effects of the cold and face the same high energy bills as a result. If they are in receipt of the higher level Disability Living Allowance due to mobility restrictions, then it is only fair that they be included in the scheme."

Mr Moore is also encouraging pensioners in the Borders who are eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment to apply. He added:

"Anybody who was aged over 60 before 21st September this year but who does not receive the state pension needs to submit a claim form before the deadline of 30 March 2009 in order to be eligible for a Winter Fuel Payment this winter. Those who received it last year will automatically receive it unless their circumstances have changed. With the first snow having already fallen in the Borders, it could be a harsh winter this year and the Payment should go some way to relieving the burden of high energy bills."

Notes:

Figures obtained by Michael Moore from the Government show that 2,460 people currently obtain the higher rate of Disability Living Allowance in the Westminster constituency of Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk.

Winter Fuel Payments are available to those aged 60 or over during the qualifying period of 15 to 21 September 2008. This year, those aged 60 to 79 will receive a payment of £125 or £250, and those aged 80 or over will receive either £200 or £400, depending on the claimants' circumstances.

Claim forms are available from The Pensions Service and should be returned before 30 March 2009 to qualify this winter. http://www.thepensionservice.gov.uk/resourcecentre/winterfuel/home.asp