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.

@virgocatlover £166 so again take that off the £900 and the WFA and how much better off are pensioners this year with all the increases on other bills.
Council tax is up 20% in our area alone.

@GeneralPeter

The figures quoted don't give the full picture. Yes, all pensioners are likely to own their homes. However, younger pensioners are less likely to own their own homes than the older ones. It's a trend so by the time most posters on this thread become pensioners the % of people living in private rentals are going to be significantly higher.

In answer to the OP's comment/question, YES, absolutely the WFA has to go.

I honestly don't understand why anyone feels entitled to it? Ditto, free bus passes?! These benefits were never available or promised prior to Gordon Brown introducing them over a decade ago. Just be grateful that you've had them for so long and that you've (probably) only ever contributed a fraction of the value of the state pension that you're currently (or going to) receive.

I'm fully aware I'm going to be flayed for this and accused of being a nasty Tory (I've never voted for them) for privately holding these views but we need to get serious about the state of the nation's finances.

I truely believe that we should have a welfare state but it's a safety net for factors/life events that are beyond a person's control (ill health, for example) and which can happen to any of us. Over the last few years I've been genuinely bemused at how so many people just assume the State is there to provide for them, for life, with minimum input from themselves individually. I find it so wrong and immoral.

It also affects those on the pre-2016 pension arrangements. My DM received £169.50 pw in SP but also claimed the PC, so was entitled to other benefits. She died three weeks ago, so is not affected. But yes, the WFP was something she relied on to keep warmish.

Maybe an online forum isn't the place for you....

@MumOfTwoLittleOnes24 so you think getting old is a choice?
Hope you feel the same about the funded childcare that everyone seems to be entitled too.

Council Tax. Cost of food. Most insurances. For those with mortgages that need re-broking the rates are likely higher than when they last fixed. Rent costs have gone up. Pensioners now don't get the TV licence free.

But unless you've been living under a rock, you know all that.

There IS justification for it: of the 11.2m pensioners who were receiving the WFA, 8m didn't need it. Giving money to people who don't need it when the country is servicing huge debt is inexcusable. Unfortunately, what's also inexcusable is that of the 3.2m pensioners who do need it, Rachel Reeves has only catered for the 1.5m eligible for Pension Credit and appears to have no plan for the 1.7m just above the PC eligibility threshold who also desperately need it, despite being provided with an excellent suggestion by Martin Lewis (MoneySavingExpert) for them to also be able to retain it.

Hmm… I think the bus pass is rather different. Subsidising public transport cuts the number of cars on the road and encourages older people not to drive as much.It enables independence and reduces isolation. But let the richer pensioners pay National Insurance.

Reporting does nothing. I have reported my neighbour more than once and he is still claiming benefits and working cash in hand

It's perfect for you. I've got some magic beans. PM me your details and we'll negotiate a price.

I'll need some facts on what magic those beans perform first. Don't be claiming they're magic without evidence to back them up. It's against your rules to just tell people something.

You've got iron clad evidence of mass fraud. I imagine the authorities will be very interested.

An alcoholic and a drug addict? Even if they suddenly decided they wanted to work, who would employ them?

I know someone who used to split it 4 ways and give to her adult kids - all with great jobs.

Another chap pays peanuts rent and council tax - this is a council property though.

As the Op has said , I wonder why this has taken so much flack.
As far as I can see it's means tested and always should have.

It's not a reward - it's time help though most in need ....

I'll tell you via PM, everyone will want some if I give away too many details. I don't have many left and they're very desirable. Be quick.

I have iron clad evidence you're a scammer now, I'll be reporting you to the authorities.

I don't know about the rest of the country but Gordon Brown didn't introduce the free bus pass for pensioners in my home city. I remember my gran having her free bus pass in the 1950s. The local name for the pensioners using them was TWIRLYS as they couldn't use them till 9.30 am and they would often try to get on a bus a few minutes earlier and the bus conductor (remember them) would should "you're too early." My mother got her pass in the 80s.

A bridge?

Presumably you're not a pensioner on basic state pension looking at covering bills over winter op

Well HMRC should be interested in someone getting cash in hand for over a year and not paying a penny of tax on it surely? My DH is self employed and if he is 1 day late paying his tax he gets a penalty so how come others don't have to pay?

Why are DWP not bothered about someone fraudulently claiming benefits for over a year?

I have given them both his name, address, date of birth, mobile phone no, car registration, the times he leaves his house for work and returns, who he is working for and where they live. Not sure what else they need.

I never said it was mass fraud but it is fraud and they should care. Why bother telling people to report fraud if nothing is done about it?

I understand your general point. Just a bit of what I hope will be helpful advice. When I was widowed my husband’s private pension stopped and, like you, my state pension was less than his ( I had been contracted out for some years). However my state pension was increased because I was allowed to inherit some of his contributions. It went from £500 per month to over £700 at the time. I would look into it.

I'd give up on that poster. Unless you have stats to back up what you're saying they believe you're just lying.

I had you confused with another poster who said they had evidence of mass fraud. Perhaps they've investigated and couldn't find any evidence.

Not, stats, evidence. Evidence can include data obviously. That's the way debate works. You say something and then back it up with evidence of what you're saying.

Don't believe what anyone tells you on the internet and never give out your pin number or bank details. It's nice to be trusting but there are lots of bad people out there who don't have your best interests at heart.