To not understand the uproar over winter fuel allowance being cut?

[virgocatlover]

It's not being cut. The poorest pensioners on pension credit will still get it. It's only being changed so it's no longer a universal payment anymore.

The energy price cap was £1834 October 2023. This October it's £1717. So it's £117 cheaper than it was last winter for average use.

In April 2024 the state pension rose by 8.5% - a rise of around £900 for those on full state pension. It's expected to rise another £400 next April.

Many energy companies still have schemes for those in genuine need. Plus the warm home discount exists for those on a low income.

I understand pensions who receive just state pension and no other income may be annoyed but there has to be a cut somewhere. But pensioners are unlikely to have the expense of rent/ mortgages in retirement which is the biggest expense to those of working age.

However most of the moans I've heard and seen seem to be from the well off pensioners who are cross about losing something. I know a woman who rents out three houses and spends the winter in the Caribbean who is spitting feathers about losing the payment. Another who spent the money on their Christmas booze.

There is so much uproar about this which didn't happen when there were so many other cuts affecting young people/workers/families. All other benefits are means tested, so should WFA.

People still see pensioners as those who fought in the war and counting pennies at the till to pay for their bread and milk. But that's just not the case these days.

I don’t think rent payments end when you become a pensioner🤷‍♀️

I'd prefer to see the money targeted at the poorest, those with electricity dependent disabilities (vents, beds, wheelchairs, CPAP etc.) and the low income elderly.

why would you think pensioners don't pay rent??

I think perhaps a sliding scale of entitlement might have been a good idea for those who just miss out on qualifying for it, but I accept the cut off had to come somewhere.
However I did think it ridiculous that it was entirely non means tested and I personally know many very wealthy pensioners who happily accepted their winter fuel payment for years.
And it should be remembered that the winter fuel payment was introduced by labour. KS is not cutting it because he wants to.

Have you seen the difference in pay between a full state pension and pension credit??

I agree with it not being universal, but the cut off is in completely the wrong place.

You can't understand the uproar that the people who rely on that money aren't getting it because, somehow, miraculously, pensioners don't pay rent anymore?

They get housing benefit if entitled to pension credit.

Most are home owners. If they do it rent and are on a low income they likely are entitled to get housing benefit.

It certainly shouldn't have been universal but it has been cut off at the wrong point.

But pensioners are unlikely to have the expense of rent/ mortgages in retirement which is the biggest expense to those of working age where do they live then??

I find it interesting how much the right wing press are banging on about it. I agree that it shouldn't be universally given. My mum received it and didn't need it and the money could be better spent elsewhere.

However, energy bills are a joke and need to be tackled.

The change in the winter fuel allowance will pale into insignificance if they go ahead with scrapping the single person discount on council tax, which they seem to be softening us up for.

Hahahahaha

Yes I thought this too. If the Tories had cut it I'm willing to bet the right wing press would have had multiple stories about the likes of Alan Sugar, Paul McCartney etc having been entitled to it.

"People still see pensioners as those who fought in the war and counting pennies at the till to pay for their bread and milk. But that's just not the case these days".

I'm wondering why you included this paragraph. Do you think the ones who are war veterans should get it and noone else?

@virgocatlover so you think pensioners who just miss out on pension credits, who are to old to work, who need to use gas and electric throughout the day as they are home
Deserve to be put into fuel poverty?

I think you will find that most pensioners are not home owners. What a ridiculous thing to say

She would be entitled to pension credit if her occupational pension / income doesn't exceed £218.15 a week.

Because people still see pensioners as those of 20-30 years ago, not those today who are the wealthiest generation ever.

No. And that's why schemes still exist for those who slip through the net. But a universal payment isn't the answer.

They're normally calling vulnerable people receiving support scroungers. I've never known the right wing press to support welfare or 'hand outs'.

Oh, look, another completely ignorant and unfounded assumption about 'boomers'. We are all mortgage free cruise takers who burn our winter fuel payments for a laugh

I also work with vulnerable people. A lot of the people I work with are over 65 and rent, they rent, and they may have a very small pension from work - or none - and they don't qualify for pension credit. The worry is huge and real.

Almost 75% of people over 65 own their home outright. Only 6% privately rent.

www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/ageing/articles/livinglonger/changesinhousingtenureovertime