rory urges constituents to check for their cold weather payments

Following what has been a very cold few weeks, the Department for Work and Pensions has automatically released additional support for thousands of local recipients in the Penrith and the Border area, which Rory is highlighting to constituents.

Cold Weather Payments are made to eligible benefit claimants who live in postcode districts linked to Met Office weather stations which have recorded or forecast periods of severe cold weather (0°C or below) lasting for seven consecutive days. For Winter 2011/2012, 5.2 million individual payments were made worth a total of £129.2 million.

The Shap MET office weather station recorded temperatures meeting the criteria between 30/11/2012 and 6/12/201 and all residents entitled to the payment within postcodes CA10, CA11, CA12, CA16, CA17, LA10 will now automatically receive an additional £25 of benefits for this week of cold weather.

Rory is urging all residents who think they are entitled to this extra support to check they have received their payments. He said: “We live in an area where rurality, high fuel prices and a low average income mean that the cold weather hits us particularly hard. This extra support will help thousands stay warm over the winter period. The payments should be made automatically, but I would encourage anyone who feels they should have received this extra help, to contact their local pension centre or Jobcentre office as soon as possible.”

Further information on Cold Weather Payments can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment.