Page 37 | WTF? £600 winter fuel allowance for all pensioners!

user1497207191 · 2023-10-13T12:34:13+00:00

No wonder the country has no money and the deficit/debt is getting bigger. MIL just phoned up saying she'd got a letter telling her £600 was on the way to her and asking why, when she doesn't need it? Just why??? She's not claiming means tested benefits. Her state and her husband's occupational pension are already far more than she needs to live on, meaning she saves a few hundred pounds a month into ISAs (which already stand at over £100k). Owns her own house, so no rent/mortgage. Why the hell can't this money be directed at those who actually need it or more worthy causes? It's insane to keep throwing money at people who don't need it. She doesn't need it, she doesn't want it. She wouldn't miss it if it wasn't paid to her. If they can means test the child benefit and claw it back from those earning over £50k, why can't they come up with a way of ensuring winter fuel allowance is only paid to those who may need it? Why not only paid to those pensioners claiming pension credits, or rent allowance, or whatever?

ilovesooty · 15/10/2023 16:32

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:27

I'm wondering if my parents are entitled to this given they live abroad but have a UK address. They don't need it. None of my elderly relatives do. If it were up to me, winter allowance would be scrapped, bus passes would be scrapped and anything else elderly people get just for being over a certain age. They are part of the reason the country is a mess, the NHS is in shambles although Gen Z are also a large portion of that so can't put the entire blame on pensioners with the sniffles and terrible balance.

How inconvenient it is that older people are more likely to need public transport and prescribed medication.

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 15/10/2023 16:33

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 15/10/2023 06:50

Source? I hope it's not the badly flawed study mentioned many times on this long thread which put a value on the state pension as if it was an asset that could be cashed in or left to family.

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Through property ownership mainly.

Josie1810 · 15/10/2023 16:35

What a joyful person you are. I do hope your old age is as easy as your youth. I wouldn't like to see you bent double with arthritis or blind through glaucoma. Or any of the other age related issues. Just don't fall out of your ivory tower. X

Desdemonadryeyes · 15/10/2023 16:35

@ilovesooty

Are you for real?

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2023 16:35

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:27

I'm wondering if my parents are entitled to this given they live abroad but have a UK address. They don't need it. None of my elderly relatives do. If it were up to me, winter allowance would be scrapped, bus passes would be scrapped and anything else elderly people get just for being over a certain age. They are part of the reason the country is a mess, the NHS is in shambles although Gen Z are also a large portion of that so can't put the entire blame on pensioners with the sniffles and terrible balance.

The reason the country’s in a mess is 13 years of incompetent government, which has in the last five years become totally shambolic. The NHS is a shambles because it’s in the hands of a government that not so secretly wants to sell it off to the highest bidder. You seriously think that the current chaos is caused by a generation that’s done nothing but work and pay its taxes? If you genuinely think that, please elaborate and tell us exactly what we’ve done. I’m all ears.

Desdemonadryeyes · 15/10/2023 16:37

Sorry tagged the wrong person @ilovesooty

Meant @Mumoftwotoddlers

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2023 16:37

Desdemonadryeyes · 15/10/2023 16:37

Sorry tagged the wrong person @ilovesooty

Meant @Mumoftwotoddlers

Thanks. I was very confused!

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 15/10/2023 16:38

ilovesooty · 15/10/2023 16:32

How inconvenient it is that older people are more likely to need public transport and prescribed medication.

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Many older people cannot drive for health reasons.
They need the free public transport to shop. Local shops are and will continue to disappear and are very expensive.

Additional money for fuel is because unlike younger people they need to heat the house to a higher degree as they are more affected by the cold and the Govn want to keep them out of hospitals.

Or would everyone prefer the UK practiced senicide.

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 16:46

AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen · 15/10/2023 16:38

Many older people cannot drive for health reasons.
They need the free public transport to shop. Local shops are and will continue to disappear and are very expensive.

Additional money for fuel is because unlike younger people they need to heat the house to a higher degree as they are more affected by the cold and the Govn want to keep them out of hospitals.

Or would everyone prefer the UK practiced senicide.

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You're missing the point, by suggesting that younger people could consider the effects of age.

Only young working age parents should get anything now...they are the new needy lol 🙄

Buggar the rest of us.😬

Gasp0deTheW0nderD0g · 15/10/2023 16:46

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:27

I'm wondering if my parents are entitled to this given they live abroad but have a UK address. They don't need it. None of my elderly relatives do. If it were up to me, winter allowance would be scrapped, bus passes would be scrapped and anything else elderly people get just for being over a certain age. They are part of the reason the country is a mess, the NHS is in shambles although Gen Z are also a large portion of that so can't put the entire blame on pensioners with the sniffles and terrible balance.

What a repellent comment. You should be ashamed of this.

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:56

But I'm not. Those who are now elderly were the previous workforce, during which time should have saved up for a time when they didn't have an income. We're expected to save dispite wages being low and a high cost of living. The elderly should be funding themselves instead of expecting the tax payer to fund their prescriptions, travel, TV licence..etc.

Emeraldrings · 15/10/2023 16:57

I don't agree with only paying it to pensioners on benefits. My parents don't claim anything but my dad won't put the heating on due to cost.
Means testing doesn't work because the government think people can live on a tiny amount so lots of people will miss out and freeze. This is the case with all means testing benefits.
Surely you can ask not to be paid? Otherwise just donate it.
I hate the Tories as does my mum so I doubt this will make her change her vote.

Desdemonadryeyes · 15/10/2023 16:58

But my dear when they were taxpayers they were funding the pensions of those that went before them.

DrinkingMyWaterMindingMyBiz · 15/10/2023 16:59

AutumIsOrange · 13/10/2023 13:35

Because Tories need the pensioners vote to win the next election.

This is the exact reason.

Jmaho · 15/10/2023 17:00

@Mumoftwotoddlers I can bet my absolute life on you currently being in receipt of some kind of means tested benefit. Guarantee it

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 17:01

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:56

But I'm not. Those who are now elderly were the previous workforce, during which time should have saved up for a time when they didn't have an income. We're expected to save dispite wages being low and a high cost of living. The elderly should be funding themselves instead of expecting the tax payer to fund their prescriptions, travel, TV licence..etc.

We funded the pensions etc for the generation above. That's how it worked, and still works. Your kids will fund you.

If we could all save, why can't you?

We all went through times of low wages/high inflation - you are not unique.

Recessions have happened before, and they will happen again.

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2023 17:01

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:56

But I'm not. Those who are now elderly were the previous workforce, during which time should have saved up for a time when they didn't have an income. We're expected to save dispite wages being low and a high cost of living. The elderly should be funding themselves instead of expecting the tax payer to fund their prescriptions, travel, TV licence..etc.

Who do you think paid for your education? The fairies? We paid for two previous generations’ pensions, prescriptions, travel and TV licences (these are no longer free) and most of us still pay tax. How much are you saving for your old age?

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 17:03

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2023 17:01

Who do you think paid for your education? The fairies? We paid for two previous generations’ pensions, prescriptions, travel and TV licences (these are no longer free) and most of us still pay tax. How much are you saving for your old age?

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Lol....this generation just think we're causing the problems. I don't think they understand how it all works.

I pay tax, as do millions of other pensioners...I'm still funding others.

Badbadbunny · 15/10/2023 17:07

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 17:03

Lol....this generation just think we're causing the problems. I don't think they understand how it all works.

I pay tax, as do millions of other pensioners...I'm still funding others.

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What, you pay more tax than you receive in state pension and other benefits such as free prescriptions, bus passes, etc?

Dontcallmescarface · 15/10/2023 17:07

Mumoftwotoddlers · 15/10/2023 16:56

But I'm not. Those who are now elderly were the previous workforce, during which time should have saved up for a time when they didn't have an income. We're expected to save dispite wages being low and a high cost of living. The elderly should be funding themselves instead of expecting the tax payer to fund their prescriptions, travel, TV licence..etc.

I couldn't save as I had to pay for all nursery/childcare hours...tell me how is your taxpayers subsidised childcare working out for you?

BIossomtoes · 15/10/2023 17:10

Badbadbunny · 15/10/2023 17:07

What, you pay more tax than you receive in state pension and other benefits such as free prescriptions, bus passes, etc?

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Over our lifetimes many multiples more. I paid tax on my earnings for 45 years and was a higher tax payer who took nothing out for over 20 years. I didn’t whinge either.

fussychica · 15/10/2023 17:13

I assume everybody that thinks you should only get these payments if you are on pension credit donated the £400 cost of living payment which was given to all households last year regardless of age and need, to a charity or their local foodbank. If not get off your soapbox and stop being a hypocrite.

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 17:15

Badbadbunny · 15/10/2023 17:07

What, you pay more tax than you receive in state pension and other benefits such as free prescriptions, bus passes, etc?

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I stuck to the contract - pay in, you get out when you're older.

I don't actually use a bus pass, and my prescription payments would be exempt anyway, from the prescribed list of illnessses (regardless of age).

Do you pay enough to cover what you and any kids cost the country? Healthcare, education etc?

We all pay in/or have paid in. We should get what we need, when we need it.

Zebedee55 · 15/10/2023 17:16

fussychica · 15/10/2023 17:13

I assume everybody that thinks you should only get these payments if you are on pension credit donated the £400 cost of living payment which was given to all households last year regardless of age and need, to a charity or their local foodbank. If not get off your soapbox and stop being a hypocrite.

Hmm, I bet the vast majority didn't. They don't want to lose anything - they just want others to lose🙄

saraclara · 15/10/2023 17:19

fussychica · 15/10/2023 17:13

I assume everybody that thinks you should only get these payments if you are on pension credit donated the £400 cost of living payment which was given to all households last year regardless of age and need, to a charity or their local foodbank. If not get off your soapbox and stop being a hypocrite.

I asked the question way back on this thread. And not a single person came forward and said that last year they'd donated their non-means tested £400 fuel discount from the government, to charity or someone who needed it more*

It's only old people who shouldn't get a one off universal payment, apparently.

*I did, by the way. Along with my WFA.