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To: Minister for the Department of Work and Pensions

Pay the winter fuel allowance to people with weather-aggravated health problems

We call on the government to extend the winter fuel allowance to anyone who suffers from conditions that are made worse by cold weather.

Why is this important?

Winter Fuel Allowance is a non-means tested benefit. You only need to be a qualifying pensioner to be paid it. The allowance is paid whether you need it or not.

There are a range of conditions that are made worse by cold weather. If you have a condition such as severe Raynauds's or Scleroderma the effects of cold weather can result in painful, swollen cold hands and feet. Being cold can quickly become life threatening due to possible complications such as poor circulation and breathing difficulties. Most people who suffer with autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis and those with limited mobility need to take extra care in cold weather.The recent price hikes in energy costs is impacting on vulnerable groups. It is essential that warmth is maintained for people whose health is made worse by the cold.
Extending this allowance won’t add much to the welfare budget and will mean less cost to the N.H.S. in the long term.
We call on the government therefore to do the right thing, and the pay the winter fuel allowance to those who need it.

How it will be delivered

I will email the signatures.

Updates

2018-03-01 19:18:15 +0000

1,000 signatures reached

2014-04-15 11:25:09 +0100

Thanks to everyone for signing the petition. It has been a fairly mild winter but even so people with certain conditions still need to maintain a certain level of warmth. It's April now and my hands are still blue, swollen and practically unusable. Thanks to the Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society for promoting the petition on their website and in their latest news letter issue no. 146. We need more signatures!

2013-12-11 00:16:01 +0000

Hi Thank you so much for signing this petition. I am so pleased to reach 500 signatures in such a short time and we haven't really had a sustained cold snap this winter which I am sure will give the petition more impetus. It is hopefully also raising some awareness of Raynaud's and Scleroderma (Systemic Sclerosis) and focusing on the effect of cold weather on other conditions. Thanks again.

2013-12-11 00:05:24 +0000

500 signatures reached

2013-12-04 14:50:23 +0000

Thanks to everyone for signing the petition. I am pushing on with it. I would be grateful if you could help me by promoting the petition by sending the link onward. I just can't see how anyone wouldn't want to help those who need the allowance to help them stay warm. The Prime Minister suggested people wear an extra woolie to stay warm. I suppose this is good advice but perhaps he is underestimating our intelligence a tad!
Please pass on the link. Thanks.

2013-12-03 08:13:45 +0000

100 signatures reached

2013-11-29 23:06:03 +0000

With the unstoppable increase in fuel bills now more than ever before we need to push for the winter fuel allowance to be paid to people whose health can quickly deterioate without proper heating. It is shameful that as a society we don't take care of such a vunerable group. The Government of the day and ourselves have a duty to do so. Sign the petition and ask others to do so to. Thank you.

2013-11-29 22:23:26 +0000

50 signatures reached

2013-11-29 12:09:55 +0000

25 signatures reached

2013-11-28 19:13:44 +0000

10 signatures reached