10:55am Saturday 26th December 2009
By Richard Catton
STRUGGLING pensioners in York worrying about winter fuel bills are to receive a payment from the Government due to the continuing cold weather.
Age Concern York said the ongoing cold snap had now gone on long enough to trigger the Government’s emergency cold weather payment.
The £25 handout is paid automatically to pensioners with a low income when the weather has stayed at an average of 0°C or lower for seven consecutive days.
Sally Hutchinson, chief officer with Age Concern York, said: “The Government has changed things this time.
“Previously it had to be below freezing for seven consecutive days but now it’s worked out as an average.
“This has now kicked in for York.”
Age Concern is also trying to introduce mandatory low fuel tariffs for older people on low incomes. The charity wants to see the Energy Bill, which is currently going through parliament, contain a commitment to introduce automatic lower fuel tariffs for struggling pensioners.
Meanwhile, the current cold spell, which has seen night time temperatures plummet as low as -14°C in parts of the UK, looked set to ease off today as milder air moved in, though temperatures were still expected to be below average for December.
Mrs Hutchinson reminded York residents to keep an eye on elderly neighbours over Christmas and said those vulnerable to the cold should try to heat up one room and avoid going out.
“Make sure you keep in touch with someone,” she said. “Don’t suffer in silence.”
Age Concern said pensioners should eat well and stay active during the cold.
A spokesman said: “When indoors‚ try not to sit for more than an hour.
“Get up and walk around‚ make yourself a warm drink and spread chores throughout the day.
“Chair-based exercises and simply moving your arms and legs and wiggling your toes are helpful if walking is difficult.”
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