News Update: Whilst the bookies may have offered long odds on a white Christmas, the Met Office is predicting a cold snap starting after Christmas Day with things looking decidedly frosty by the weekend.

Vulnerable people on the Isle of Wight, need not fear as the  Cold Snap Brings A Warm Bonus if your in receipt of at least one of the benefits listed below* in the week commencing 22nd December 2008.

With temperatures set to plummet by as much as 5 degrees over the break, the Government wants to make sure that no one feels the cold indoors.

The government is spending £575m on increased Winter Fuel Payments this year, with someone aged between 60 and 79 will receiving £250, and £400 for households with someone 80 and over.

Minister for Pensions and the Ageing Society Rosie Winterton said:

“As temperatures drop over the next week, I am concerned that many vulnerable people, especially the elderly, might not know that extra help is on the way.

“There are three ways we are helping this winter – with bigger Winter Fuel payments of £250 or £400, the extra £60 Christmas bonus payment in the New Year and increased Cold Weather Payments of £25.”

Gordon Lishman, Director General, Age Concern, said:

“Many older people are worried about making ends meet this winter, but finding out they can get more money in their pockets can really make a difference.

“Tripling the Cold Weather Payment has made it a useful amount that will give an extra boost when the weather is cold. The one-off payment of £60 in the New Year is also very welcome. “

*To get the Bonus you must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits in the week commencing 22nd December :

a. Attendance Allowance
b. Constant Attendance Allowance
c. Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
d. Disability Living Allowance
e. Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
f. Industrial Death Benefit
g. Carer’s Allowance
h. Mobility Supplement
i. Pension Credit – the guarantee element
j. State Pension (including Graduated Pension)
k. Severe Disablement Allowance
l. Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
m. War Disablement Pension if aged 65 or over
n. War Widow’s Pension
o. Widow’s Pension
p. Widowed Mother’s Allowance
q. Widowed Parent’s Allowance

All those on Pension Credit are eligible as are those on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and have a child under five or get one of the following:

* a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
* a disability premium or severe disability premium
* a disabled child premium
* Child Tax Credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled

Cold Weather Payments have been triggered 18 times so far this season with 500,000 Cold Weather Payments made this year, a total payout of over £12 million.

The government is spending £575m on increased Winter Fuel Payments this year, with someone aged between 60 and 79 will receiving £250, and £400 for households with someone 80 and over.

All householders are also eligible for help under the Government’s £1 billion Home Energy Saving Programme, including free or discounted home insulation, discounts on energy saving products, free low-energy light bulbs and other energy efficiency improvements. Vulnerable or elderly householders may also qualify for central heating and insulation improvements under the Warm Front scheme.

Information on grants and assistance with home insulation is available from the ACT ON CO2 advice line on 0800 512 012, from the (Energy Saving Trust) or from Warm Front (0800 316 2805)