§ Mrs. FyfeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend the heating allowance paid to pensioners on Income Support to those pensioners who have small private or occupational pensions. [151186]
§ Mr. RookerWinter Fuel Payments, this winter £200 for eligible households, are not means-tested and are paid to the majority of people from age 60. People eligible 699W for a payment and who might be in receipt of a small private or occupational pension would already be included in the scheme.
Cold Weather Payments are paid to people who are in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and get either a disability or pensioner premium or have a child under five. A payment of £8.50 is made automatically when the average temperature at the specified weather station linked to their postcode has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0°C or below over seven consecutive days. There are no plans to extend this scheme.