Thoughts please ...

The recent reduction in Universal Credit was disgraceful and I wish they would restore it, and more.
But to many pensioners, including me, the winter fuel allowance is vital.

Pammie1

The fuel allowance is only given to pensioners who qualify for pension credit, and that includes those who are sick/disabled as well as elderly, so removing the WFA from them in order to give to UC claimants is pointless as it just moves the hardship from one group to another.

The winter fuel allowance is not dependent on receipt of pension credit, unless there has recently been a change in eligibility. My partner and I receive it every year

I keep saying that even though i think (most) pensioners should be entitled to this extra heating allowance money, BUT SO SHOULD THOSE ON OTHER BENEFITS AS WELL- like ESA or PIP- or DLA benefits- people who clearly have some disabilities and perhaps therefore cannot move around easily to get warmed up, or have circulation problems- they need extra heating too, not only pensioners, all other benefits get is a paltry £25 if its deemed cold enough by gov't to be necessary! This is outrageous really- No offence, but OAP's are entitled to that as well, on top and its not fair on disabled folk.yes, they can apply for warm home discount, but its not guaranteed, and the £140 on that goes nowhere now fuel costs more(oh yes, and the OAP's are INSTANTLY entitled to that too- on top of all the other extra they get for heating! (They used to get much more, too, used to be £400- then £300 for this winter fuel allowance) I'm not saying they shouldn't have it- I'm just saying that people on disability payments should get it AS WELL! AND for families with children under 5 too! Its not fair to automatically get a lions share of the 'heating allowances' just because you're an old person! -and yes, instead of the Cash they should get it added to their fuel meters, or a fuel voucher, so it doesn't get spent on other things.That should be same for everyone.

It should go to those in most need. So I would not have a problem with it.

Caro57

I have a British friend who lives he Portugal and they get it!! - the system really needs sorting

I thought they stopped expats from recieving this allowance years ago!

I have a British friend who lives he Portugal and they get it!! - the system really needs sorting

I would be against it being paid in vouchers because (a) it is demeaning and (b) it would mean those not in need of it couldn't donate it to charity.

I wonder if those suggesting it be paid in vouchers would also want UC and other benefits paid in vouchers

I get £200 winter fuel allowance and spend it on my energy usage which seems to be quite high even though the heating is rarely on. So no I wouldn't want it removed.

I always thought it should be means tested but as has already been said, it would be very expensive to do so so best left as it is.

Mine goes to my husband towards the higher winter fuel costs.

I was so confused, I thought OP meant fuel allowance for vehicles!! ??

As others have said, it would cost a lot to means test - let alone check for fraud - so it's sensible to just pay it to all pensioners. Those who don't need it can give it to charity. I do think the Christmas bonus should be dropped, though. £10 is irrelevant, really - and somewhat insulting.

My first year of getting it too Visgirl1 £100 each going to my two children, they need it more than we do.

We get the winter fuel payment and it’s used for our energy bills. We’ve worked all our lives, never claimed a single benefit, I’m glad we get it.

BlueBelle

*The fuel allowance is only given to pensioners who qualify for pension credit, and that includes those who are sick/disabled as well as elderly*
Even if you do take the word ‘only’ out it’s still incorrect Pammie it is given to everyone of pension age not just those who qualify for Pension Credit you can be fit well not disabled and have a decent pension but you still get the annual allowance

@BlueBelle. I know it’s given to everyone of pensionable age but my point was that that includes the most vulnerable, including those who are sick, disabled and on pension credit. The original question was whether the allowance should be removed from ALL pensioners in order to give to those who had lost the UC update, and I was trying to point out that as well as giving the winter fuel payment to affluent pensioners, it goes to those who would be put into hardship if they lost it - what’s the point of that ? You’re just swapping one thing for another and not really helping anyone. I didn’t intend to put ‘only’ in the text - wasn’t paying attention to auto correct, but that was what I meant. Jut did it the long way round !!

I do not get WFA, as I am not of pensionable age yet,my partner gets it. I will accept and use the money when I am eligible I definatly against vouchers, I think its demeaning. I can budget my own finances.

It shouldn’t be either or. The govt should have kept the £20 upgrade on universal credit.
Pensioners should all get the £100 fuel allowance. Means testing it would cost more than would be saved. Mine goes to our local charity that helps those in need

All the people I know who get it do use it for heating.
I live in a deprived area.

I think the fuel payment should be a voucher to pay your energy supplier and not monies paid into your bank. I know people that have used this money towards holidays, xmas presents etc and not for heating.

We would give ours up to anyone more in need please nobody say we should donate it or refuse it we give to good causes all the time . It is wasted on those who do not really need it and as for the Christmas bonus it should be scrapped. When it for came out my aunts thought it was wonderful . If it had kept up with inflation it would be worth over £300 now .

The fuel allowance is only given to pensioners who qualify for pension credit

No. All pensioners are eligible for the WPA. I've been receiving it for the past 20 years and have never been in receipt of Pension Credit.

Eligibility Criteria:
^you were born on or before 26 September 1955
you lived in the UK for at least one day during the week of 20 to 26 September 2021 - this is called the ‘qualifying week’^
(https://www.google.com/search?

q=winter+fuel+allowance+2021&rlz=1CATTSD_enGB945&oq=winter&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j0i20i263i433i512j0i131i433i512j69i65j69i60l2j69i61.2831j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-)

We buy our logs with the winter fuel payment. They keep us going during the coldest weather, as a supplement to our central heating.

Ah yes that is my winter fuel payment.

B1zzle……you haven’t told us what you think ?

Pammie1

The fuel allowance is only given to pensioners who qualify for pension credit, and that includes those who are sick/disabled as well as elderly, so removing the WFA from them in order to give to UC claimants is pointless as it just moves the hardship from one group to another.

No. I get £200.

dragonfly46

The fuel allowance is given to everyone. I have just had the letter saying I will receive £100.
I do not need this money and would be happy for it to go to more deserving cases.
I give mine away to charity every year.

My first year of getting it.. Its going to Charity.