WINTER FUEL PAYMENT

[cobden28]

A couple of days ago I received the official letter from the DWP telling me I'm not going to receive the Winter Fuel payment this year because, although I am within the required age group, I'm not in receipt of the listed benefits. I am 69 years of age.
On the same day I also received notifiication from my energy supplier of the amount of my next Direct Debit monthly payment and a request to submit my meter readings. I've contacted the energy supplier and arranged for them to send round a meter reader, so they can't be in a position to dispute the readings oobtained.
Then once I get my billing sorted i'm going to have to work out how to cut my energy bill. My proposed method is to turn off the central heating and only use the gas fire in the living room for heating - I feel uncomfortable if a room is too warm and the gas fire chucks out lots of heat anyway.

Good plan

I wonder how much money has been spent contacting people individually, to tell them they aren’t going to get the WFP.

OK @cobden28

Also beware of the scam text message being sent to pensioners.

What is your AIBU?

Yes that would be interesting to know.

My proposed method is to turn off the central heating and only use the gas fire in the living room for heating - I feel uncomfortable if a room is too warm and the gas fire chucks out lots of heat anyway.

Why did you ever have it on then?

This was an official letter from the DWP, so it's genuine.

I think most people are in this position this year. My husband and I both work from home, so having the heating on all day as well as morning and evening would be awful. We will do what we did last winter and cover up with blankets and jumpers, decent slippers, and I have a cheap heated throw blanket too. Also bought an air heated dryer last winter as it's much cheaper to run than the tumble dryer.

Well said @HerefordHeifer . I don't get at all why this isn't in https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/money-matters

Do you need the WFP due to low income? If so, contact your energy company to discuss, many have discretionary funds for such assistance.

Have you also checked if you're able to claim additional benefits?

Do you not have smart meters or otherwise send in your monthly meter readings then? Why?

Not sure I understand the point of this post.

Are we meant to be outraged that OP is no longer being paid to heat her whole home unnecessarily, perhaps.

Have you checked to make sure you are not entitled to PC @cobden28 ?

Also make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in that room (and any others that need them)

Edited to add - and ventilate the room too, have the window on the latch. For safety and also gas fires give out lots of moisture.

Why would you wonder how much that cost?

It is hard to advise without knowing your financial situation, tbh @cobden28 .

If you are comfortably above the threshold for PC then I don't think you need to do anything vastly different than last year.

Gas Safe Register’s top tips to ‘Let It Flow’ this winter:

• Ensure gas appliances, including gas fires, are safety checked and serviced every year

• Make sure all rooms with gas appliances are properly ventilated and that there are no blockages to ventilation

• Fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm

• Know the signs of a potential carbon monoxide leak: lazy yellow flames rather than a crisp blue flame, hissing or whistling sounds, and dust, dirt, or other debris at the fireplace base – could all be signs of CO in your home

• Know the symptoms of CO poisoning. If you suspect it, get some fresh air and leave the house as quickly as possible. See a doctor and, if you are very unwell, call 999 for an ambulance. The National Gas Emergency Helpline is also available 24/7 on 0800 111 999

• Know where your emergency control valve (ECV) is: If you suspect a gas leak or carbon monoxide in your home, switch off the gas supply

Bout a quid?

It's another thread designed to pursue the freezing pensioners narrative and froth about the government.

Well imagine the moaning and wailing if DWP didn't write to those affected.

I turn a pensioner next month.
My energy supplier had told me it's added £140 via the home warmth scheme credit to my account.
I'm already in credit by paying extra over the summer months.. knowing I'll be okay to keep my house warm over the winter.
The £300 that Stammer has robbed us off would have helped loads of us too.

If you don't reach pension age until next month, you wouldn't have been entitled to it this year anyway, to be fair.

Robbed you of 🤣🤣🤣. So he came round your house with a sawn off and wearing a balaclava? If you can’t afford to stop work then keep working then, lots of people go part time before retiring