3,400 Folkestone and Hythe pensioners to miss out on cold weather payments

Shock figures from the Liberal Democrats show that almost 3,400 pensioners across Shepway could miss out on Government cold weather payments this year, despite the dreadful weather conditions.

Cold Weather Payments of £25 a week are paid to people on low incomes who receive a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit. Qualifying benefits go unclaimed by as many as 1.7m pensioners nationally, which on average would mean 3,365 pensioners in Folkestone and Hythe missing out. They are entitled to additional benefits, to top up their pension, and these benefits then entitle them to extra cash in extreme weather conditions.

Lynne Beaumont, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Folkestone and Hythe, is asking pensioners to check they are receiving the benefits they are entitled to. Lynne said:

"How ridiculous is this. The Government should be explaining to people exactly what they are entitled to, not creating a complicated system which makes it difficult to get the help needed.

"So please, check with the Pensions Credit Office, free phone 0800 991234 to see if you are entitled to this extra cash. You shouldn't have to worry when you turn on your heating."