Winter fuel payments

[dearydeary]

I have just heard on the news that this is being discussed again and they are considering reinstating them.

While I think that people who are on a lower income (pension credit for example) may need additional help I do not think this should be a universal benefit any more.

It appears the government is still looking for votes. What about everyone else in society? Younger people at universities or just starting out? Individuals with disabilities?

Surely we need to be moving to a more means tested approach as the finances need rebalancing?

Where pensioner need help, I am happy to support but many older folk have benefited from good pensions, valuable house price increases and a stable employment market. This is not the situation for many of us any more.

Have I lost the plot?

I see, although the idea that pensioners can’t be struggling as in pp is usually touted by wealthier pensioners.

And I expect they’re paying considerably more than that in fees for you to help them avoid tax. Greed’s gonna grasp.

The first year my husband got it he received £500, but that year the Government added on an extra £300 as a pensioner cost of living help. The following year 23/24 it was £200 plus extra £150 for cost of living, then last year he didn't qualify for anything. Not sure why yours was £150 unless your husband qualifies as well? I'm not state retirement age yet.

There is a bit of difference between the £300 and £600, you said earlier, are they over 80.

Two pensioners in the house £150 each. We gave our to the foodbank.

It seems a bit hard to establish exactly how much this WFA was

"frittered."

People are allowed to spend their lawful money how they choose, you know.

Probably best to rely on information from people who actually received it.

I'm just glad I'm not your MIL.

We need to change the narrative. No one is "paying in". Tax isn't a savings nor insurance scheme. We need to get the message across that you "don't get back" what you've paid in.

No one wants to hear it though

@2dogsandabudgie there are of course pensioners who rely on the support. I think some are too removed.

I just got breaking headline on this u turn.

So for some pensioners then, I think you would agree that £300 would help with their fuel bills, especially now as it seems that the cost of living payment help has stopped as well.

Doesn’t look like a U turn to me - the government will look at making changes to the winter fuel allowance policy, including the threshold for payments.

Here is Starmer’s full comment on the winter fuel payment in his answer to Sarah Owen. He said:

I recognise that people are still feeling the pressure of the cost-of-living crisis including pensioners. As the economy improves, we want to make sure people feel those improvements in their days as their lives go forward. That is why we want to ensure that as we go forward more pensioners are eligible for winter fuel payments.

As you would expect Mr Speaker, we will only make decisions we can afford, that is why we will look at that as part of a fiscal event.

In our case getting rid of the winter fuel allowance was a fair cop! We did not need it. Yes I think it should be means tested but means testing is very expensive. There will always be mistakes and people lie.
I also think it is time to get rid of the triple lock. Pensions have gone up a lot in recent years and a single lock of keeping pace with inflation would be sufficient. However this is not a vote winner.
I do disagree with getting rid of the bus pass though. It takes a lot of pensioners off the roads. Older people would be less inclined to give up their cars when their driving ability deteriorates. The money bus companies get back from the council for people using bus passes keeps a lot of buses still running.

Agree on buss pass. Just leave that.

Those pensioners who got £300 as a couple gained nearly £1000 a year in the April pension increase. That should help with their fuel bills.

No, it shows a government who is listening. Flip flopping a lot is one thing, but reversing a decision for the benefit of the nation is not a bad thing.

They don’t means test child benefit. If you are over the threshold, you submit a tax self assessment and it calculates how much you have to pay back.

it's all very well saying don't let the nasty oldies have anything, but when Gran dies and you all come to share out her stuff there will be less to pick through.

Well…the news is Starmer has done a U turn

Thelostjewels · Today 07:39
They set the cut off point too low, they just need to raise it so very comfortably off people don't pay it.

This^
We are a few pounds over the limit for Pensions Credit and we are not eligible for Winter Fuel allowance nor any of the add-on benefits that those on Pension Credit can benefit from. Those add-ons include many goods and services like TV license; admission to venues such as art galleries, cinema, sports and swimming pool; medical costs, dentistry, optician, hairdressing.

We lost WFA, and are worse off than those claiming Pension Credit even taking into account the recent increase to State Pension. All swallowed up in inflationary costs such as food, fuel, dentist and insurances.
I paid NIC all my life.

People who receive the full state pension but nothing else do not currently pay tax. The amount of the state pension is still lower than the amount people can earn before paying tax.

However, if the tax thresholds remain the same, it is likely that in the next few years, even people who only receive the state pension will be liable for tax as the state pension increases each year due to the triple lock.

Looks like you get your way.
This will no doubt be funded by tax hikes for working people.

No he hasn’t. He said the threshold will be reviewed. It will still be means tested.