Winter fuel Allowance

Listening to the Press/ Media having a melt down about the " U turn" on fuel allowance. Got to say I actually had PMQ's on and Starmer actually said they wanted more people to qualify to claim, not really a complete about face and overturning the original decision. Sadly sensationalist reporting distorting the facts. My thoughts are it was political suicide to hit anything to do with pensioners after being elected after 14 years. What may have been acceptable was grant it per household and not individually which would have greatly cut the bill while still assisting with heating peoples homes..just my opinion tho..maybe tin hat time

 

Bet you wish you hadn't bought that log burner now.

 

The amount of meltdown over the WFA... I didn't hear a peep from those same papers/people when the disabled were getting put through the ringer by IDS, after things like Remploy were getting wound up. I didn't hear a syllable when May, Strong and Stable, took the food from the childrens' table. Not a squeak when Johnson, who played tennis with a Russian spy, said "let the bodies pile high".

 

One household of two people get the same as one person,they don't both get £300 each.

 

I’m glad they’re making cuts. I’m double glad they’ve realised their mistake and tweaked it to a more appropriate policy.

 

I have a good friend who has 3 pensions and goes on holiday 4 to 5 times per year, and he has the audacity to complain about them taking away the allowance. I have no issues with the WFA being paid, but it needs to be capped/means tested to benefit the correct people

 

I've come around to thinking that all pensioners should be given it, but it be paid back through taxes - that way those only on the state pensions will be ok, but those still earning (over a threshold) will lose it.

 

Everybody's heating accounts should be given to the government and if you're eligible it be paid straight to the winter fuel companies.

 

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A household could potentially get a Winter Fuel Payment of up to £600 if they receive Pension Credit or certain other qualifying benefits. This payment is designed to help with winter energy costs and is paid to households, not individuals.

That's why imo it needs means testing. The government. Should have waited to see the impact on those most vulnerable. I agree. Not just oap's.

Me and my Mrs both got Payments 2023/24. None for 2024/25.
I was more than happy tbh. It should not go to everyone. Over 66. But to the above I mention.
£600 wfa would probably cover 6 months minimum of my gas (used for heating) . bill inc. Gas stove. Or my entire dual fuel bill for 4.5 months.
Admitted my home is well insulated. My last months gas bill was £57. Due to the climate in the main. I can't remember a time when, March, April May reached such high temperatures over a long period.

I find it strange. The tories didn't encourage everyone to apply for credits they are due to. Lots of publicity and assistance at hand for oap's to claim.
They made people aware but no support.

Under labour.

• There have been trials, like the "Invitation to Claim" trial, that target individuals likely to be eligible for Pension Credit but not currently claiming it. This approach aims to identify and support those who may not be aware of their entitlement.

I saw this happening in the Glassworks on many occasions. If those that are housebound and have no one to take up the issue for em. That would prove to be difficult. Many would not take up an invitation to apply as they let their pride and not their pockets make the decision. Also lots don't like folk looking into their financial affairs.

One person bragged how well he was off. But insisted on his wfa. His perogative, but we differ on that view.

 

I have lost the WFA and have absolutely no complaints. I don’t need it, and would much prefer that the money goes to someone who does. Whether it was politically naive or not is a different argument.

 

I think the threshold should be moved up. Easy to link it to someone working 35 hours on minimum wage, for example.

 

Thanks for that mate, As me and Mrs S never qualified I didn't kno that..

 

See my previous post T. Me and my Mrs got it last year . Not this. Tha too young and minted lol.

 

Minted !!! Av just renewed P..funds are looking bleak lol

 

It's a buggar isn't it!

 

I agree, but i think it should be given to everyone regardless of age and paid back through increased taxes. I don't just think it should be at winter either, should be a payment every month to everyone paid back through taxes for those earning more.

I just think UBI is where the world needs to be going to... It's the only way to combat the increase in automated manufacturing and AI.

 

I've said it before, my wife and I both get the maximum state pensions and I get 2 occupational pensions which amount to about my state pension. So our household has the equivalent income of 3 state pensions. We also paid to have solar panels and battery so our energy bills are under control. We do not need WFA, I would much rather the government implemented a fair system to get this benefit to those that need it.

 

My mum lost the payment and she's absolutely fine with that. Her neighbours opposite complained mightily about it. They'd previously said they have over half a million sat in the bank, yet don't go on holiday, don't have a telly, are estranged from their kids... Don't do much really so they just have monies accumulating. Needless to say who they vote for.

 

Let me guess…

 

My mum lost it. She's really unhappy because that money is going to put "darkies" in a hotel. I'm not sure whether she intended to use the money on her main home or her holiday home...

My dad lost it and he's really annoyed because we always look after the illegals and he's paid in all his life. I think that's what he said. I was struggling to hear him because he was on the phone from one of his many vacations.

Bloke at work who is a lord (I **** you not) and has come out of retirement due to boredom is really peed off that we always have money to pay for forriners but he's struggling without his winter fuel allowance. said with a straight face while taking home around 900 quid a week from work plus his state pension. recently so far this year he's been on 2 cruises, a weekend break in Prague, Barcelona, Venice, Norway, Amsterdam, bought two new cars for him and his partner and only ever wears designer suits.

I have genuine sympathy for those on low income who need it. Sadly their plight has been hijacked by the selfish *beeps* who just want to take take take regardless of need. It's no coincidence who they all vote for and what their views on certain subjects are either