MILLIONS of pounds of extra Government cash will help keep pensioners warm this winter. Around £200 million is being paid to pensioners nationally to help them pay their winter fuel bills. And Bolton's elderly - estimated to number around 50,000 - will take their cut. Most of the money will be paid out by the end of March.

Pensioners who are on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance will get £50, paid by the end of January.

And pensioners not on Income Support will also receive a payment. Those living alone will receive £20 and where more than one pensioner lives in a household, each will receive £10.

Social security minister John Denham said: "Our first priority has to be those pensioners who need the money most quickly.

"But all pensioners need to be reassured that they are getting help to heat their homes.

"Pensioners do not need to claim the Winter Fuel Payment. Payments will be made automatically."

The Winter Fuel Payments will be in addition to cold weather payments of £8.50 which are already paid to vulnerable groups.

But that money is only paid out when the average temperature has been recorded or is forecast to be 0 degrees centigrade or below over seven consecutive days.

Gareth Evans, chief officer with Bolton's Age Concern, welcomed the cash boost but warned it was only the first step in helping Bolton's elderly.

He added: "This must be seen as a valuable start which will bring some help to older people but it should only be seen as a start.

"The only answer to winter fuel problems is to ensure that all older people have an adequate income thoughout the year."

"For someone who has to keep their heating on all day, every day, for three months, £50 may not be much of a help but it is a step in the right direction.

"It is a definite improvement on the cold weather payments which were already in place."

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