Statement

WEIR CALLS FOR TAKE UP OF WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS 

Posted on: September 14, 2009

“I welcome the take up and awareness campaign that the Department of Social Development of Winter Fuel Payments. This is aimed at helping people on or above the age of 60 with the cost of keeping warm this winter. Automatic payments will be made in November/December to people who have received it last year and to those who are aged 60 or above and who are receiving either State Pension or any other social security benefit (excluding Housing Benefit or Child Benefit). For households with qualifying residents aged between 60 and 79 will receive a payment of £250, with those 80 or above  receiving £400. New claimants can contact the Winter Fuel Payment line on 08459 151515, and this can be completed over the phone. 

Take up rates in areas such as North Down are not always as high as they should be, and local people should realize that this is something that they are entitled, and indeed well deserved help for those who have been the backbone of the workforce for years. For many of our elderly who suffer from fuel poverty, and indeed all those who can benefit form help over the winter, it can sometimes mean the difference between life and death. I urge local residents to make their claim as soon as possible, and in particular for new claimants to contact the Payment line by 25th September, to enable their claim to be paid before Christmas.”