Poverty campaigners slam Government over cold weather payment 'failures' » Communities » 24dash.com

Poverty campaigners today hit out at the Government, claiming it failed to get cold weather payments to thousands of the UK's most vulnerable households.

Elizabeth Finn Care, a charity that supports people who have suddenly fallen on hard times, said it handed out one-off payments of £50 to 2,000 families to help them pay fuel bills during the winter.

It is calling on ministers to make better provisions for those in need, alleging that that many pensioners are missing out on Winter Fuel Allowances as a result of "undignified and complicated" means-testing.

The charity cites research that shows that £2.4 billion worth of Pension Credits go unclaimed each year by around 33% of those entitled to them.

Bryan Clover, casework director at Elizabeth Finn Care, said: "While most of us in the UK are relieved that the worst of the cold weather is behind us, there are people out there who are anxiously holding their breath in fear of the heating bills that are due to arrive.

"Will they be able to find the money to pay them? For too many, the answer is probably not."

Elizabeth Finn Care is urging the UK's top 50 benevolent charities to follow them in making additional payments to those in need.

Mr Clover said: "In a modern, affluent society, it is outrageous that people are being put in a position where they are being forced to choose between whether they heat or eat.

"With a joint effort, we can reach thousands of people out there who have been forgotten by society and indeed the Government."

A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: "We are making every effort to ensure pensioners keep warm during the winter months.

"Most people aged 60 or over receive a Winter Fuel Payment. This winter those aged 60 or over receive payments of £250 or £400 for the over-80s and we have tripled the cold weather payment to £25 for those on Pension Credit.

"We've made it more simple and straightforward to claim Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit together in just one free phone call and we make 13,000 home visits every week to ensure vulnerable pensioners get all the help they need."