Extra cash for pensioners

THOUSANDS of local pensioners are set to get extra support to help them make ends meet from today with $7.3 million worth of new cash payments hitting local households.

All full and part pensioners on the Coffs Coast will receive a lump sum payment of $250 for singles and $380 for couples combined.

Federal Minister for Families, Jenny Macklin, said more than 33,100 pensioners in the seat of Cowper would receive a cash payment over the coming weeks, ahead of the introduction of the carbon price on July 1.

"This extra cash will go straight into pensioners' bank accounts to help them keep on top of the bills," Ms Macklin said.

"We know local pensioners can find it pretty tough to keep up. They have the least room to move when costs go up, and this new support from the Gillard Government should give pensioners a bit of extra breathing space."

Pensioners will get another boost next year with an ongoing increase to their fortnightly payments from March.

The additional payments will see pensioners get about $338 extra a year for singles and $510 extra a year for couples combined.