Four thousand Cheltenham pensioners missing out (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Four thousand Cheltenham pensioners missing out

January 15, 2010 10:41 AM

Nearly four thousand local pensioners will miss out on Cold Weather Payments triggered by the cold snap, 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 a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. But Pension Credit is itself complicated and goes unclaimed by as many as 1.7m pensioners nationwide and an estimated 3,990 in Cheltenham. Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood has called for reform of the system but urged local pensioners to claim all their entitlements.

Martin said: 'Today's older generation have worked hard all their lives and made huge contributions to National Insurance and tax over the years. Many who are still alive today helped to defend us in wartime. Those who are hard up now are perfectly entitled to claim a little back to help them pay their fuel bills in desperately cold weather like this winter's. But Labour's complicated system of Cold Weather Payments dependent on Pension Credits which are themselves divided into Savings Credits and Guarantee Credits and aren't paid automatically means that thousands in Cheltenham will miss out. This is a real scandal.'

Martin supported reform of the system but has also urged pensioners to claim their entitlement. 'People should check if they are entitled by phoning the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234. Lines are open 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays. When you phone, you'll need to have your National Insurance number, information about your savings, investments and income and details of the account you'd like any payments to be paid into. I'm afraid the government is literally banking on people not claiming their entitlement but I want everyone in Cheltenham who deserves this payment to get it. We owe our pensioners this much at least.'