The pension for couples will rise on the same day by $17.40 a fortnight.

“These increases will help pensioners keep up with the rises in costs of living expenses and shows the Coalition is delivering on their election promise that pensioners will be better off under us,” Mr Cobb said.

Orange Senior Citizens’ Association vice-president Beryl Reedy says, however, the rise isn’t enough to make an impact on her life.

“I won’t even notice it,” she said.

“But it will go towards the electricity and gas, because for pensioners those bills are a killer.”

Mr Cobb said under the Abbott government pensioners can expect more help again in March with increases to be delivered twice a year in March and September.

Pensioner Maria Hart said pensioners she knew faced pressures of increased rental charges and power bills.

“A friend of mine said her rent in public housing is bound to go up with the pension increase,” she said.

“For my part when the electricity bill arrives I don’t open it - because I want to get a good night’s sleep.”

OUR SAY: Life's not all beer and skittles on the aged pension

Mrs Hart says she spends a great deal of time away from her house during the day to cut down on power bills.

“I can come here to the Senior Citizens’ Centre where I can do art classes, or you can go to a shopping centre or the library to keep warm in winter,” she said.

“In winter I just don’t turn my heating on through the day.”

Wanda Driscoll, who runs the art classes at the Senior Citizens’ Centre, said with the community transport options available to pensioners and the budget meals at the centre, many pensioners spend time away from their home to save on the costs of food and power bills.

“People can get a meal here for $6,” she said.

“We are fortunate in Orange there are many activities for pensioners to do outside their homes.”

Mr Cobb said parenting payment single recipients would receive an extra $7.20 a fortnight from next week, adding the Newstart Allowance, parenting payment partnered, widow allowance, partner allowance and sickness allowance will all increase by $5.20 a fortnight for singles and $4.70 each for couples.

janice.harris@fairfaxmedia.com.au