TENS of thousands of older people living in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole received help to pay their heating bills last winter, new figures show.

As Britons prepare to deal with the colder months and soaring energy bills, charity Age UK said spiralling prices are making it increasingly difficult for older people to heat their homes.

The winter fuel payment is a tax-free annual benefit paid to people over pension credit age to help them with their bills as temperatures drop.

Department for Work and Pensions statistics show 80,273 older people received a winter fuel payment in 2021 – up from 80,110 the year before.

Of them, 25,222 were aged over 80, while a further 15,757 were aged 69 and under.

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The winter fuel payment is made to anyone who was born on or before September 25 1956 and lived in the UK for at least one day during the qualifying week, which this year was from September 19 to 25.

The amount someone receives depends on their age, household circumstances and the benefits they received in the qualifying week.

Normal payments range between £100 and £300, but the Government uprated these by £300 for 2022-23 due to the cost-of-living crisis.

Most will be paid automatically in November and December.

READ MORE: Dorset Community Foundation relaunch Surviving Winter appeal

The Dorset Community Foundation launched its thirteenth Surviving Winter appeal this winter, with director Grant Robson warning older people are at greater risk than ever before thanks to the cost of living crisis.

The appeal works with Citizens Advice to distribute £200 grants to help to identify pensioners and vulnerable people aged 50 and over living in fuel poverty who often can only afford to heat one room for a few hours a day and routinely skip meals to save money for their bills.

Mr Robson said the appeal, which last year raised £86,400 and helped 420 people, is desperately needed.

To donate to Surviving Winter visit dorsetcommunityfoundation.org and find out more about applying for help by calling Citizens Advice on 01929 775500.