§ Ms LynneTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many eligible pensioners have not received cold weather payments due to not claiming pensioner or disability premiums with income support, in each year since the introduction of cold weather payments; and what is the total amount of money that would have been paid to such pensioners for cold weather payments, in constant prices, if they had claimed the income support pensioner or disability premiums for which they are entitled; [9048]
(2) what research his Department has carried out into the monthly death rates faced by pensioners not claiming pensioner or disability premiums with income support and cold weather payments despite being eligible; and what plans he has to investigate whether such pensioners face disproportionate death rates during the winter months. [9049]
§ Mr. Roger EvansPensioner and disability premiums are not a separate benefit, but form part of the calculation of income support, housing benefit and council tax benefit and are awarded automatically when the conditions are satisfied. Similarly, cold weather payments are awarded automatically when eligibility conditions are met.