Genuine question re pensioner fuel payment cut

Plenty who get Child Benefit (which adds up to more over the year) don’t need it… so let’s scrap that and then a few babies whose parents live on the cusp will see babies die of cold , but as you say, a line has to be drawn somewhere.

Yes:drawn at a level where people don’t die of cold.

They already have the information, they don't need to set up a new system. Pensioners still pay tax so they can use that to see who would qualify.

If your mum is on PIP she will be getting that as she has a disability. So of course that will entitle her to other benefits.

I get that, but if means testing costs hundreds of millions of pounds, they may as well just give it to everyone in the first place, but they can’t afford to.

Maybe they should just ask pensioners to opt in to receiving it, and hope that the majority won’t take the mick.

Ironically my DM is on pension credit and PIP, and because she has no housing costs she has more disposable income than she’s ever had in her life, and she will still get the WFA.

Every penny of profit the fossil fuel companies make is a nail in that persons coffin. It’s not the abstract blanket subsidies issued by the previous government. They are killed by capitalism.

But you could say that of any benefit, and then agree to spend all the public money on benefits and have none left for anything else. A line has to be drawn somewhere. I wholeheartedly support this policy.

And you’ll be really fine when some of those on the cusp die this winter because they can’t afford another winter if sky high winter heating bills?

You know… actually die?

And you’ll shrug and say it’s sensible?

I am confused. I understood that the winter fuel allowance was being scrapped for anyone not on means test benefits.

A pensioner on 11k a year income with 13k would receive £0.61 in Guaranteed Pension Credit. So would qualify for Winter Fuel Allowance and a substantial council tax reduction. If they rent their home they would also get that paid as well within the local housing allowance.

So not sure where this 11k income counting you out of WFA is coming from

That is why people are saying it should be means tested instead of taking the WFA away from all pensioners. People on here seem to think that pensioners fall into 2 categories, either going on cruises or on pension credit. It's the pensioners who are just above the cut off for pension credit who will suffer, the ones who get the full state pension of £220 a week and nothing more.

It's not that hard to understand. Age Concern have already started a petition on this as it will affect over 2 million pensioners who needed that help.

I agree, nobody has said otherwise. But surely if someone can afford four holidays a year the taxpayer shouldn’t be giving them extra money.

I think benefits such as the winter fuel allowance and bus passes should be means tested but at a higher income level - older people living in poverty is a massive issue. Older adults tend to be thinner, move less and spend more time at home so will have much higher fuel bills than the general population. The gov could easily say anyone over 65 years HMRC see with an income over (say) 25K don't get the allowance. It'll be interesting to see if cases of hypothermia go up this winter

It’s really sensible. I understand there will be those on the cusp who will miss the payment but some of the wealthiest in society are pensioners and absolutely do not need it. Those who are entitled but don’t claim need more support to claim pension credit to ensure they get what they need.

Posters moaning about free bus passes are probably the same ones that moan that their elderly relatives shouldn't be driving cars

If she hardly ever gets the bus it won't be costing the public purse hardly anything anyway as it only costs for the times it is used.

Well, clearly you do begrudge them a warm home in winter.

Lib Dems should have been in power.

Mmmm well I agree it should be means tested.

Same Re: Bus Passes, I think they should be kept, but no pass for those who still drive. My MIL couldn't wait to get her bus pass even though she has a brand new car and hardly ever gets the bus.

Any 'blanket' pay outs need looking at because the money needs to come from somewhere.

All I heard about Labour from the older people I work with was how they just spend money we haven't got, so now they're finding it.

And the rich boomers won't even suffer. So much really nasty ageism on here, which has naff all to do with income.

Excuse me?! We are talking about pensioners on a few hundred a month. But because they're old, you apparently have no problem with them dying of hypothermia.
Well, aren't you nice?

As a matter of fact, taxing wfa at marginal rates would be better. And yes, we give ours away before you jump.

Well there is the demographic time bomb to think about. Too many of us pesky boomers. Maybe this is a cunning plan to offload a few of us if more people die of hypothermia or other cold related illnesses. Many health issues are worsened by the cold. There would be a knock on effect on the NHS of course in the short term but think of the long term savings of not having to pay the pensions of those who don't survive.

It’s weird, isn’t it?
Despite all the jealousy and insults and general prejudice against boomers, we are still having an uphill struggle to obtain the right to die on our own terms.
If assisted dying/Dignitas/voluntary euthanasia becomes legal, then a lot of these issues with us pensioners would be solved.
Not everyone, but I’m certainly amongst those who want a painless, easy death available to me when I want it.
Put some of the energy you are using to vilify the elderly into that campaign.

You are not required to sell the house you live in if you are on UC etc... why would it be the same for pensioners?
You can't eat bricks.

They are talking about middle class people in large 4 and 5 bedroom houses. Not ordinary people.

Where are all these magical houses that pensioners can downsize in to?

@Miley1967 I know people getting PIP that frankly surprises me. But attendance allowance is almost exclusively awarded on the basis of what medical professionals say. For example, GP saying Mrs X has parkinsons and has virtually no fine motor skills and can not safely carry hot food or drink. The actual attendance allowance form asks very direct questions but also asks for medical professionals contact details. Its not about things like being able to plan a journey that is in the PIP form, but can you wash, go to toilet, etc, Most people that get PIP would not get Attendance Allowance.

Why would the Tories have investigated their own shit?