40,000 Sussex pensioners losing out on Cold Weather Payments

2.44.00pm GMT Sun 17th Jan 2010

Red tape means Cold Weather Payments could be denied to thousands of Sussex pensioners

Up to 40,000 needy pensioners across Sussex are missing out on Cold Weather Payments triggered by the recent weather, 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, which goes unclaimed by as many as 1.7m pensioners.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Campaigner for Mid Sussex constituency, Serena Tierney said: "It is a scandal that pensioners on the breadline are missing out on these payments, worth an estimated £42.5m.

"Fuel prices are at an all time high, making Cold Weather Payments all the more important to people already struggling on a poverty pension.

"Labour has failed pensioners by creating a complicated system that makes it difficult for them to get the help they desperately need.

"The Government should be making every effort to identify pensioners who are missing out and get them this extra cash."

More information can be found on the Pension Credit which provides a minimum income guarantee for people over 60, including a passport to other benefits such as Cold Weather Payments at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/PensionCredit/DG_10018692.