Winter fuel payments for pensioners scrapped

[MidnightPatrol]

Unless they are in receipt of pension credit or other benefits.

I suspect this will be the first of many benefits which will be restricted as part of cost-cutting measures.

What else might we see / should we see?

Good.

Nothing to do with Attendance Allowance.

Well if it is anything like my mum, she was able to downsize and be mortgage free before she retired. Which is just as well as there would be no way she would be able to afford rent on her just over £15k pension a year. Which is all she has to live on.

This.

And those on 'government' pensions don't understand this. Most people in the private sector don't get massive private pensions, or know how to go through the many hoops to claim pension credit.

seems sensible but will be very bad for those just above the level.

On other things that may be means tested- disabled/senior bus pass. I get disabled because I’m partially sighted so not allowed to drive. I am working and have savings though so again might be linked. When it was brought in it was to recognise how car dependent the country is unless perhaps in London, which has an even better scheme for disabled people.

@MounjaroUser I meant as a qualifying benefit, since it is not means tested but needs based.

There joint pension is above the limit. Could you live the rest of your life on just over £350 a week.
I think the straight to cremation they both want will be cheap enough.
I will be emailing my MP to complain.
They are the forgotten generation. They wouldn’t get insurance to on a cruise!

How come you live on less than £1,600 when the state pension is more than that?

Excellent. My parents received these payments. They don’t need them at all.

It hasn't been scrapped for pensioners on pension credits

I've been receiving it for three years. I gave it away each time because I felt it was wrong for me to have it, when I could afford my heating.

As fuel costs are coming down from their recent high, it may be that even without the allowance, many pensioners won't pay any more than they did last winter, WITH the WFA.

Exactly this - those of you who know people on generous pensions are salivating at the idea that the boomers again get their comeuppance. This winter fuel payment is only £200 one off for a household - so a big help to people like me who live alone.
My income for what it is worth is £17k pa and because I have a small annuity I get none of the freebies that people on PC get - free TV licence over 75, cold weather payments, council tax paid, free boilers - I am sure their income is roughly the same as mine with all the add-ons.

Small-minded and mean-spirited is how I view the reaction on here. I did the right thing, paid tax all my working life and invested in a private pension and you are cheering that I lose £200 per annum (a mere £4 a week)

Just because the MN in-laws have huge pensions, houses and holidays it doesn't mean every pensioner does, many are managing just above the pension credit limit, often in not very well insulated housing and would have used this extra towards fuel bills.

Totally agree.
Are you my sister?! 😂

There are plenty of pensioners who don't get pension credits but are still only just over the threshold. This payment would definitely be of use to them. Pensioners are feeling the col pinch just like everyone else. So many people buying into the narrative of 'all pensioners are wealthy' which is total bullshit of course.

And let's not forget that once it's gone it's gone, so it's the next generations who won't get help, and who's pensions will be more heavily taxed because of decisions being made now.

Also hopefully it will shut up some of the people who are always trying to find a stick to beat pensioners with.

About time, hope they get rid of triple lock next but not holding my breath.

Ridiculous that they expect people on benefits, who usually also have dependents, to live on less than pensioners who have much lower living costs.

100% right decision. No pensioners in my immediate or extended family need it. It should be there for those that do and that will still happen.

I think I agree with this. Only based on personal experience my nana and granpa very much did not need this and my parents who are approaching retirement age very much do not need this either so it makes sense it is means tested.

There will always be winners and losers with any change.

maybe fairer to link the change with a tax band

Ok seems sensible. Some control over fuel prices might solve some problems for many people also!

Perhaps they own their house and have paid off the mortgage?

What do you mean with a tax band @Onemoreterm ? As in standard rate tax payers all get it?

It's not fair at all - mixed aged couples where one is a pensioner and the other isn't - can't claim pension credit.

I'm 61 waiting for my pension at 66 and trying to survive off husband's £900 per month state pension. We desperately need the winter fuel payment. I've tried going out to work, not employable - I've tried claiming universal credit - not eligible because of husband's state pension. So I've got to wait 5 years to qualify for winter fuel payments in other words, despite having no income now - yes, very fair!!!!