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Get the extra Government support to help with heating bills, MP urges
North East Somerset’s MP Dan Norris is calling on elderly and vulnerable people - and those on low incomes - to make the most of extra Government support to help pay heating bills during the extreme weather.
“As the cold weather continues to bite, many of my constituents will understandably be worried about paying for their heating. Thankfully the Government is doing more than ever to support vulnerable people during this extremely cold spell,” he said.
“It is vital that people whose circumstances have changed in the last year check their entitlement – as the extra support being made available could make a big difference.”
Dan is reminding people of the direct help that the Government is providing to keep elderly and vulnerable people warm. Reassurance during this very cold spell comes from the Cold Weather Payment of £25 a week. So far this winter, more than £200 million has been paid out under this scheme – not just keeping people warm, but reducing their anxiety about their heating bills.
“Cold Weather Payments are triggered when temperatures are at or below zero degrees Celsius for a seven-day period. The payments are normally automatically added to any benefits you may receive and the payments, when triggered, usually appear about a week in arrears,” Dan said.
Temperatures are monitored by 85 weather stations across the country and postcodes are linked to each station. For North East Somerset, temperatures are monitored mostly through stations at Lyneham (postcodes BA1 – 3) and Filton (BS14, BS31, BS39, BS40) where, so far, three Cold Weather Payments have been triggered recently.
The scheme runs from November 12 to March 31 and is designed to help those who are vulnerable or on low income to pay their heating bills. To qualify you must be receiving:
“If you feel you should be receiving this extra support and you are not – please contact your local Job Centre Plus,” urged Dan. "And anyone who is worried or who feels they should be getting extra support but cannot get their entitlement is very welcome to contact me on 01761 320023 and I'll do my best to help out."
The Winter Fuel Payment is another scheme where anyone aged 60 or over on or before 27 September 2009 may qualify for a lump sum of £250 per household.
Households with someone aged 80 or over could get a payment of £400.
Over 12 million people receive it automatically without the need to claim but Dan is urging those who are over 60, and newly eligible, to make a claim. This can be done via the Winter Fuel Payment website – www.direct.gov.uk/winterfuel, or by calling the helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users).
There’s also the Warm Front Scheme – a grant-based initiative to help the vulnerable to better insulate their homes and make them more energy efficient. People qualify if they receive certain benefits including the Disability Living Allowance. Details of this scheme are available from the free Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00.
“Help is out there for those most in need,” said Dan. “ If you think you are entitled, just pick up a phone, go online or ask a friend or neighbour to help you.”
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