LAST winter's cold weather claimed more than 25,000 lives – the highest for four years. The vast majority – 22,400 – were among pensioners, millions of whom are in fuel poverty, having to choose between heating and eating.
This winter's bitter weather is likely to claim even more lives. Gas and electricity costs have soared and a survey by Age Concern found that two-thirds of pensioners are cutting back on the amount of gas and electricity they are using and in doing so are risking their health by cutting back on heating.
British Gas, the biggest supplier of both gas and electricity, has introduced a special tariff known as 'The Essentials Tariff' which is considerably lower than their standard tariff. This cheaper tariff is available to their customers who are in receipt of at least one of the following benefits: disability living allowance, pension credit, attendance allowance, war disablement pension which includes either a mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance, disablement pension which includes a constant attendance allowance, child tax credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less, working tax credit where the relevant income is £14,600 or less, council tax benefit, housing benefit, carers allowance, severe disablement allowance, income support and income based job seekers allowance.
All pensioners are therefore recommended to telephone their energy supplier and apply for this cheaper tariff.
We know that many pensioners, for various reasons, do not apply for the various benefits which are available to us. Therefore, Action Fifty Plus – Monmouth Area has arranged an Open Forum meeting at which Mrs Lisa Wills from the Department of Work and Pensions will explain all the benefits and how easy it is to claim them.
This meeting is open to anyone of any age and we will give a warm welcome to everyone, including non-members, who attends. The meeting is to be held at Bridges Community Centre, Monmouth at 2.15pm on Wednesday, March 18, 2009. – Tom Moran, chairman, Action 50 Pus (Monmouth area).