24 December 2008 – Christmas cold snap: don’t hesitate to turn on the heating – Winterton

Whilst the bookies might be offering long odds on a white Christmas, the Met Office is predicting a cold snap starting after Christmas Day with things looking decidedly frosty by the weekend.

With temperatures set to plummet by as much as 5 degrees over the break, the Government wants to make sure that no one feels the cold indoors.

Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society Rosie Winterton said:

“As temperatures drop over the next week, I am concerned that many vulnerable people, especially the elderly, might not know that extra help is on the way.

“There are three ways we are helping this winter – with bigger Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400, the extra £60 Christmas bonus payment in the New Year and increased Cold Weather Payments of £25. “

Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern, said:

“Many older people are worried about making ends meet this winter, but finding out they can get more money in their pockets can really make a difference.

“Tripling the Cold Weather Payment has made it a useful amount that will give an extra boost when the weather is cold. The one-off payment of £60 in the New Year is also very welcome.”

The government is committed to spending an extra £4bn on pensioners next year. This means the biggest increase in the State Pension since 2001, up by 5%, and the biggest increase in Pension Credit since it was introduced. With Pension Credit no pensioner need live on less than £130 a week from April 2009, compared to just £69 a week in 1997.

All householders are also eligible for help under the Government’s £1 billion Home Energy Saving Programme, including free or discounted home insulation, discounts on energy saving products, free low-energy light bulbs and other energy efficiency improvements. Vulnerable or elderly householders may also qualify for central heating and insulation improvements under the Warm Front scheme.

Notes to Editors

1. The Christmas Bonus will be paid in two instalments - recipients will get £10 in December, as in previous years, with the additional £60 to be paid between January and March in the New Year.
2. The majority of State Pension customers should receive the £60 payment in January 2009 in addition to their pension.  The remaining three million customers will get their £60 in February or March 2009.
3. To get the Bonus you must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits in the week commencing 22nd December:
   • a. Attendance Allowance
   • b. Constant Attendance Allowance
   • c. Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
   • d. Disability Living Allowance
   • e. Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
   • f. Industrial Death Benefit
   • g. Carer's Allowance
   • h. Mobility Supplement
   • i. Pension Credit - the guarantee element
   • j. State Pension (including Graduated Pension)
   • k. Severe Disablement Allowance
   • l. Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
   • m. War Disablement Pension if aged 65 or over
   • n. War Widow's Pension
   • o. Widow's Pension
   • p. Widowed Mother's Allowance
   • q. Widowed Parent's Allowance
4. Cold Weather Payments have been increased from £8.50 to £25 per week for winter 2008/09. They are paid out when the average temperature where the recipient lives is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.  All those on Pension Credit are eligible as are those on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and have a child under five or get one of the following: 
   • a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
   • a disability premium or severe disability premium
   • a disabled child premium
   • Child Tax Credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled
5. Cold Weather Payments have been triggered 18 times so far this season with 500,000 Cold Weather Payments made this year, a total payout of over £12 million.
6. The government is spending £575m on increased Winter Fuel Payments this year, with someone aged between 60 and 79 will receiving £250, and £400 for households with someone 80 and over.
7. Full and more detailed weather forecasts can be found on the Met Office website http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/uk/uk_forecast_weather.html
8. Information on grants and assistance with home insulation is available from the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012, from the Energy Saving Trust (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk) or from Warm Front (0800 316 2805)

Media enquiries: John McNally 020 3267 5191. Alison Clarke 020 3267 5141
Press office:  020 3267 5144   Out of hours: 07659 108 883
Textphone: 020 3267 5145
Website: www.dwp.gov.uk