Winter warmth cash paid to almost 250,000 seniors in region, new figures show
New figures show almost 250,000 pensioners across Staffordshire and the Black Country were given a helping hand to heat their homes during last winter.
With the cold months approaching charities claim aid promised by the Government is inadequate and they are calling for more "targeted energy bill support to protect households".
The Winter Fuel Payments scheme is a tax-free annual benefit paid to seniors to help them with gas and electric bills as temperatures drop.
Department for Work and Pensions figures show that 247,352 residents in parts of Staffordshire and the four Black Country boroughs - an increase of 1,951 - received help in 2022-23. Nationally, most of those who secured payments last year were aged over 80.
South Staffordshire district saw the biggest rise with 467 more claimants up to 26,237 with 7,760 payments made to over 80s. In Sandwell, there were 390 more taking the figure up to 45,009 with 12,929 payments to over 80s. In Stafford, there were 336 more up to 29,600 with 8,592 payments to over 80s. In Wolverhampton, there were 317 up to 40,046 and 12,020 payments to over 80s.
