Lib Dems call to protect 25,297 Redcar & Cleveland Pensioners from biting Winter Fuel Bills

25,297 pensioners across Redcar & Cleveland will lose out on the Winter Fuel Payments worth up to £300 which have been axed by the new Labour Government.

In Redcar & Cleveland, that means just 4,297 pensioners will now be entitled to the payments to help with their winter fuel bills – a massive drop from the 29,594 residents who benefited under the old scheme, say Redcar & Cleveland Liberal Democrats.

The Winter Fuel Payments ranged from £100 to £300 and were paid to everyone over the state pension age.

From this year onwards, to be eligible for the winter help, residents must have been born on or before 22nd September 1958 AND receive Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Support, income based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance, explained Carole Morgan, Liberal Democrat Group Leader in Redcar & Cleveland.

She added: “A big problem is that only about six in 10 people eligible for Pension Credits actually take them up.
“That’s why we’re asking Redcar & Cleveland Council to work to actively promote the Pension Credits – let’s get everyone who is entitled to this support claiming it and they should then be able to get the Winter Fuel Payment.

“And with the next winter fuel price cap rises expected to be announced on the 25 November, it will be an especially worrying time for people who had perhaps been counting on the now axed winter fuel payment to help them out again this year, said Carole Morgan, who represents Ormesby Ward on Redcar & Cleveland Council.

“We are worried that more older people in our area will be faced with the horrid and stark choice of heating or eating once more this winter,” said Carole.

“There will be many people likely to be just above the threshold for Pension Credit who will also undoubtedly struggle this winter. The Pension Credit is paid to those receiving a pension of less than £218.15 a week (or £332.95 a week for couples).

“It’s difficult to believe that Labour would not have been aware of the real and biting impact such a drastic cut in the Winter Fuel Payments will have when they announced that nine in 10 pensioners would be frozen out. I am hopeful that all councils in Teesside will do what they can to help people claim the Pension credit and also lobby the Government to raise the threshold so that more pensioners can be helped to heat their homes this winter,” added Carole.

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Contact Cllr Carole Morgan: