Page 36 | Winter fuel payments for pensioners scrapped

MidnightPatrol · 2024-07-29T15:05:40+00:00

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?

UndergroundSquirrel · 29/07/2024 23:01

Yorkshireblond · 29/07/2024 22:47

Why aren’t people understanding that pensioners with income that is pennies over £218.15 per week will not get the winter fuel allowance. That’s people will income less than £11400 per year will not get the £200 allowance. It’s not just the rich pensioners who will lose this, it’s the ones on the lowest incomes, the most vulnerable in our society. My dad is one of them.

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As is my father.

He had his education interrupted and at 18 was shipped off to fight in Germany. At 19 he was badly injured but miraculously survived.

Returning after WW2, he went to work and funded his own studies at night school. No grant nor student loan for him.

He never went abroad on holidays because he couldn’t afford it.

He only ever drove the smallest, cheapest car because he couldn’t afford a flash gas guzzler.

He saved what little he had and paid into a small workplace pension when available. This puts him just over the limit for Pension Credit. He therefore doesn’t get any of the associated ‘gateway’ benefits which are worth an extra £8,000.

His total income is around £12,500 p.a.

He cannot increase his income nor can he magic up vast savings.

He is now ineligible for Winter Fuel Allowance.

He is 98.

Christine1998 · 29/07/2024 23:01

XenoBitch · 29/07/2024 22:39

What UC are people on that "can work but don't" What group are they in?

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No idea. I don’t ask for specifics it’s not my business. I just know they have said that they would be worse off if they worked and I have no reason not to believe them and I did say fair play to them, it’s they system that’s flawed if it allows this to happen. At the end of the day this is a public forum where people are entitled to air their opinions. I’ve absolutely no idea about benefits. Never been entitled to them as I’ve always worked apart from a short spell due to redundancy.

OdeToBarney · 29/07/2024 23:02

XenoBitch · 29/07/2024 22:58

PIP/DLA can open the gateway to more support/accommodations. By making them means tested, you will be denying those who are in a household that has too much money, the practical support they need. Things like Blue Badge, Motability scheme, carer's tickets etc.
And disabled children would be denied that support because their parents earn too much. Or a disabled woman living with a man who earns too much. For many vulnerable women, their only income is PIP.

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You make good points re gateways to other support. Of course if the country wasn't so fucked, there would be a better way to do this than by linking it to a financial benefit. There must be a better way?

Bloom15 · 29/07/2024 23:02

Lifestooshort71 · 29/07/2024 16:37

There are some of us who aren't eligible for pension credit - we live on less than £1,600 a month with just our combined state pensions - and will miss the winter fuel allowance. We don't all jet off somewhere hot.

Completely agree.
My DM was upset about this today, my parents don't qualify for PC but they are on the lowest scale after that

justasking111 · 29/07/2024 23:03

GeneralReflection · 29/07/2024 22:57

Does your dad own his own home?

Currently 78% of pensioners own their home, and 17% are in social housing. The small remainder left are in private rented.

If people really are living on the bread line then they have the option to release equity from their home. Perhaps this is something that more pensioners should consider?

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Ironically around here small bungalows and apartments are more expensive to buy than the home you grew up in.

2dogsandabudgie · 29/07/2024 23:03

frozendaisy · 29/07/2024 22:51

Minimum wage 19k likely with more housing, commuting, dependants, clothing costs. They don't get extra heating costs.

And on average use NHS less and pay for prescriptions.

State pension isn't so bad in comparison

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How callous you sound. People can't help getting old and having health problems. It will happen to you one day.

Seymour5 · 29/07/2024 23:03

Prawncow · 29/07/2024 17:16

Maybe those own property should downsize. You can’t sit on £200k+ of assets and plead poverty.

That's about the value of our house. We are heading for 80, so some sort of housing specifically for older people would be great! All on one level , walk in shower, two bedrooms would be perfect.

We couldn't fund the service charges even if we could afford to buy a property. We're also very unlikely, as homeowners, to qualify for social housing. Where would you suggest we live to free up these assets?

Yorkshireblond · 29/07/2024 23:04

frozendaisy · 29/07/2024 22:51

Minimum wage 19k likely with more housing, commuting, dependants, clothing costs. They don't get extra heating costs.

And on average use NHS less and pay for prescriptions.

State pension isn't so bad in comparison

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Wow, so it’s fine to take away £200 from someone on £11400 per year, would you like to live on that per year? If you had to I’m sure you’d probably find the £200 was an absolute lifeline. Maybe labour should go for the rich, like they said they would, not for people on pensions of £11400 or on minimum wage. I’d like to see all people on low incomes get extra help including those on low pension and minimum wages. Really didn’t expect labour to take away from the poorest.

Champagnesocialismo · 29/07/2024 23:04

Tbh I support this and you can assume that many will do too. Labour are getting the tough stuff in early, which is sensible. Pensioners did pretty well out of the Tories, much better than working people did, and this government claims to be for workers so let’s see some improvements to public services next.

Hangingupnow · 29/07/2024 23:04

I don’t disagree with increasing the pay of junior doctors. I do disagree with making those on £220 per week fund it.

But equally is it fair for doctors wages to stagnate for years in order to fund WFP?

I think it would be fairer to tax Amazon, Starbucks and co properly. It’s a great soundbite but that requires global initiatives.

Spectre8 · 29/07/2024 23:05

frozendaisy · 29/07/2024 22:52

You'll be less gutted when the nhs waiting lists come down

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Like they did in Wales...oh wait

Erm no

healthadvice123 · 29/07/2024 23:05

@frozendaisy good luck funding a cruise on £10000 , what planet are you on
if family should help shall we say that to all others on any kind of benefit and slash all them as welL. Why pay child benefit to anyone after all thats a choice and people should plan for it and save ? Doesn’t sound right in that concept does it ?

XenoBitch · 29/07/2024 23:05

Miley1967 · 29/07/2024 23:01

Then just give people ' an underlying entitlement to DLA ' without the money paid. that should solve the problem.

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Not for vulnerable woman.
Many on MN trot out time and time again that no woman should be financially dependent on a man. If that woman is disabled (can't claim ESA/UC due to her partner's income), then PIP is her only income.
And it is paid for and to and individual based on their needs.... the people they live with don't come into it.

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 29/07/2024 23:05

If pensioners haven't saved for their retirement then they need to budget

You make it sound like not saving for retirement is an active choice for everyone.

Rummly · 29/07/2024 23:06

Champagnesocialismo · 29/07/2024 23:04

Tbh I support this and you can assume that many will do too. Labour are getting the tough stuff in early, which is sensible. Pensioners did pretty well out of the Tories, much better than working people did, and this government claims to be for workers so let’s see some improvements to public services next.

You really said that?

If only the Tories had made some tough choices…

FFS

happyinherts · 29/07/2024 23:06

BizarroSeamonsters · 29/07/2024 23:01

This is not necessarily the case - I think we need to see what ‘other means tested benefits’ confer eligibility - I know Money Saving Expert mentions some, but I don’t think that’s correct since most of those listed aren‘t even available to pensioners.

I’d be surprised if things like housing benefit & council tax support aren’t included, and just about anyone who only receives the state pension will be entitled to at least one of them. The only exceptions I can think of would be pensioners who live with family and pay neither council tax nor rent.

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Like I've been saying a pensioner on state income who has a wife under 66 but not working does not qualify for anything - council tax help, pension credit, etc - if they don't pay rent - obviously no housing allowance! That wife could be over 60 - expected to receive her pension but was shafted for it. So they are living off one income (pension of £930 = paying £250 council tax per month and existing from living off a little savings which probably won't see them through till wife reaches 66. Do you still think this is fair?

Bloom15 · 29/07/2024 23:08

nokidshere · 29/07/2024 17:07

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.

👏🏼

justasking111 · 29/07/2024 23:08

Spectre8 · 29/07/2024 23:05

Like they did in Wales...oh wait

Erm no

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I'm in Wales you gotta laugh. The waiting list times here compared to England. Especially orthopaedic and eyes. Cancer now. We're up the creek.

TheCrenchinglyMcQuaffenBrothers · 29/07/2024 23:08

Negroany · 29/07/2024 22:45

Seems sensible to me. My mum got hers after she'd died, it was ridiculous. She died Oct 15th, I did the Tell Us Once, and DWP wrote to me to ask for some details to check if she was still eligible. I sent the details assuming "dead" as a detail would mean she wouldn't get it, and they sent me a cheque for £200.

The letter was kind of "we know it's odd but you might still get it". Had I not had other beneficiaries of the estate to be aware of I'd have sent it back!

Sorry for your loss. Was this last year? Because if it want a few years back, I wouldn’t be so hasty if I were you. We got letters regarding MIL various DWP payments etc absolutely months after she had died requesting that we pay them back, despite them having known she had died prior to making payment.

healthadvice123 · 29/07/2024 23:08

Seems scotland may already be replacing WFP and paying it for their pensioners for all those in receipt of state pension

Livelovebehappy · 29/07/2024 23:08

frozendaisy · 29/07/2024 22:58

Fine
And get rid of the triple lock
And free prescriptions at 60

Pensioners get loads of state money and resources. Stop being so greedy.

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As do many younger people. You know the ones, those who choose not to work as a lifestyle choice, or choose to do the minimum hours of work as possible, and have their income topped up by benefits. Loads of mums get child care subsidies from the government now, so working is an option for them. An option they might not like, but childcare costs should no longer be a barrier to working and contributing to society.

SOxon · 29/07/2024 23:08

Daisymay2 · 29/07/2024 16:22

I agree, we didn’t need it and have donated ours to the food bank previously. I think the £10 Christmas bonus could go as well, goodness knows when that was fixed and it must cost more to administer than it’s worth. However, I’ll be really irritated if the bus pass goes.

take my bus pass? out of my cold dead hands ! (to quote Charlton Heston)

MeouwCat · 29/07/2024 23:08

UndergroundSquirrel · 29/07/2024 23:01

As is my father.

He had his education interrupted and at 18 was shipped off to fight in Germany. At 19 he was badly injured but miraculously survived.

Returning after WW2, he went to work and funded his own studies at night school. No grant nor student loan for him.

He never went abroad on holidays because he couldn’t afford it.

He only ever drove the smallest, cheapest car because he couldn’t afford a flash gas guzzler.

He saved what little he had and paid into a small workplace pension when available. This puts him just over the limit for Pension Credit. He therefore doesn’t get any of the associated ‘gateway’ benefits which are worth an extra £8,000.

His total income is around £12,500 p.a.

He cannot increase his income nor can he magic up vast savings.

He is now ineligible for Winter Fuel Allowance.

He is 98.

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God bless him, he is a true hero.

BruFord · 29/07/2024 23:09

Seymour5 · 29/07/2024 23:03

That's about the value of our house. We are heading for 80, so some sort of housing specifically for older people would be great! All on one level , walk in shower, two bedrooms would be perfect.

We couldn't fund the service charges even if we could afford to buy a property. We're also very unlikely, as homeowners, to qualify for social housing. Where would you suggest we live to free up these assets?

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@Seymour5 Yes, my Dad moved into a one-bedroom retirement flat last year and I can concur that they’re not cheap, especially for two bedrooms (which are like hen’s teeth). Then you have the service charges plus all your usual bills.

@Prawncow £200K really won’t give @Seymour5 and their spouse a luxurious life after buying a retirement flat, I can guarantee that.

frozendaisy · 29/07/2024 23:09

Livelovebehappy · 29/07/2024 23:01

We’re talking junior doctors here. They’re training. Unless you’ve noticed, the country is going through a cost of living crisis. We’re all having to budget - every single one of us. To just throw a group of people a 20% pay rise, when many workers have had their salary frozen for the last three years, is obscene, no matter which way you look at it. And the laughable bit is - there’s many on social media urging their peers not to accept it and to hold out for the 35%!

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Do you know what"junior" doctors do? They are still "training" but they are fully quailified medics. They are the ones covering weekend and night shifts. They are newly qualified rather than training.

If your heart stops in A&E it will be a junior doctor who gets it going again.

They are not just "a bunch of people" they make life saving decisions daily, they miss their own kid's birthdays because they are looking after other's kids.

They are not just a bunch of people, that is so ignorant and fucking rude. We'll all be waving sage around and sticking leeches on without them. They deserve to be very very well paid.

Winter fuel payments for pensioners scrapped

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