State pensioners who don't qualify for Winter Fuel Payment being given 'replacement' £200

Thousands of pensioners who don't qualify for Winter Fuel Payment can now get a "replacement" £200 boost. After the new Labour Party government moved to shake-up Winter Fuel Allowance eligibility, state pensioners can now get £200 replacement payouts.

North Lincolnshire Council has announced a £200 payment to 3,000 pensioners who would otherwise miss out this year. And the local authority says its popular healthy cooking courses that saw 1100 local people take part over the summer is being extended with a further 1000 places available.

Cllr Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said in a statement this week: “As someone who grew up in a low-income household at a time when convenience food just wasn’t an option, I know that food preparation and cooking skills play a significant part in managing the household budget.

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“With little support for hard pressed families in yesterday’s budget, the council will be doing what it can to support local people most in need this winter. The healthy cooking courses we launched over the summer were very popular with well over 1000 people learning how to cook healthy, nutritious meals on a budget and reduce energy costs. Extending this scheme will help even more people eat well and reduce bills this winter.

“This is on top of the £200 we are providing to 3000 most in need pensioners who will miss out on the winter fuel payment.” A grant scheme for those most in need will be launched in the next few weeks will also be available to help people with food and energy bills.

Recipients need not apply, as letters will be sent directly to those eligible. These can be exchanged for the £200 at any post office, the local council has said, in the wake of the Labour Party Budget this week.