We received a petition asking:
“We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to extend the right to an extra winter fuel allowance to all disabled persons receiving middle/higher rates of Disability Living Allowance.”
Details of Petition:
” thus preventing much misery and saving the extra medical and care costs incurred when their health deteriorates; inability to exercise or cope with restrictive layers of clothing means staying in bed simply to keep warm. This results in loss of muscle mass and tone and unnecessary cardiac, vascular and pulmonary weakness. Healthy pensioners can run marathons yet still receive winter fuel allowances, some receive these allowances when living in warm countries, but in the UK, many otherwise comparatively young, healthy and socially useful people are being rendered permanent invalids, their care costing the taxpayer millions - because the government is still pinching pennies in a despicably mean fashion.”
· Read the petition
· Petitions homepage
Read the Government’s response
The Government appreciates that disabled people of all ages can face extra costs. We understand that these needs arise all year round and not just during the winter months.
¼br /> The Winter Fuel Payment was introduced in 1997 to give pensioners reassurance that they could afford to heat their homes in winter. It is paid in a lump sum each winter to ensure that money is available when fuel bills arrive. Older people are targeted because they are particularly vulnerable to the effects of cold weather during the winter months.
¼br /> Disability Living Allowance and the disability premiums in the income-related benefits provide additional weekly payments, and are related to the individual’s circumstances. The most severely disabled people receive an additional amount of almost £8,000 per year in recognition of their extra needs costs. People can find out more about these benefits by telephoning the Benefit Enquiry Line on 0800 88 22 00.
¼br /> Additional help with winter fuel costs may be available through Cold Weather Payments, which are made automatically to vulnerable people in receipt of qualifying benefits, during periods of exceptionally cold weather. This year Cold Weather Payments have increased from £8.50 to £25 per week.
¼br /> These payments are elements of our broader strategy for tackling fuel poverty. The aim of the UK Government and Devolved Administrations remains the eradication of fuel poverty in vulnerable households as far as reasonably practicable by 2010, with the overall aim that as far as reasonably practicable, no household in the UK should live in fuel poverty by 2018.
¼br /> On 11 September the Prime Minister announced a £1 billion package to help households save more than £300 a year on energy bills. Households will benefit from a 50 per cent discount on loft insulation and cavity wall insulation, and elderly and low income households will receive the service free of charge.
¼br /> We have also negotiated a voluntary agreement with energy suppliers, which means that the total level of assistance offered to vulnerable households by suppliers will increase to £150 million a year by 2011. We will legislate to allow data to be shared with energy suppliers to help them identify poorer pensioners who are at risk of fuel poverty.¼br /> ¼br /> It is always worth checking whether a competing supplier can offer a better deal. Further information can be obtained by contacting Energywatch on its consumer helpline: 0845 906 0708. The Home Heat Helpline, 0800 33 66 99, run by the energy companies, can also supply advice on fuel matters, including discounts that are available to certain groups of people.
¼br /> Warm Front, the main programme for tackling fuel poverty in the private sector in England, provides grants for insulation and heating improvements to households in receipt of qualifying benefits. To find out more about the Warm Front Scheme, householders should call 0800 316 6011
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