Arthritis Care calls on the Government to extend the Winter Fuel Allowance

Cold weather exacerbates the symptoms of arthritis, making the pain and stiffness that people experience more debilitating. As a result of their condition, many people with arthritis experience reduced mobility or social exclusion. They, therefore, spend significant periods of time at home, meaning that it is doubly important that their homes are kept warm.

There are over four million people living with arthritis under the age of 65 and not entitled to receive the Winter Fuel Allowance. 40% of people in fuel poverty are disabled or have a long term health condition and the numbers affected are set to rise with fuel costs continuing to escalate.

Furthermore, people with arthritis on low incomes are often forced to juggle competing financial priorities as a result of additional costs associated with their arthritis e.g. special equipment, travel costs or maintaining a healthy diet.  Meeting rising fuel bills further compounds this challenge.

Arthritis Care calls upon the Treasury to extend the Winter Fuel Allowance scheme to people with arthritis on low or fixed incomes so that their condition is not adversely affected by increasing fuel costs.

If you would like to get involved in raising awareness of this important issue, you may want to write to your MP and let them know why fuel poverty is important to you and add your support to the calls for extending the Winter Fuel Allowance.

For more information on how to contact your MP, please click here.