Winter fuel allowance

Ah yes Charleygirl I'd forgotten about him. Don't speak too soon though because if BJ reads this thread then it'll all go, seeing as many don't need it.

I agree with Callistemon I would never send it back, I would much rather choose where it goes. Received £100, Mr B received £100 and give more than a £100, probably half of more will go to the Salvation Army to help the homeless.

I'm sure that those who don't need this payment won't grouse if we end up paying for NHS treatment ?

Why do we get our winter heating allowance letter at the end of November and then another, presumably expensive, mailing in December telling we've got our £10 'Christmas present' from the Govt. Time to roll it into one mail shot at the least.

Although many do not need the heating allowance, many many do. To means test almost any provision means many who should not be excluded are excluded and the administrative costs far outweighs any savings.

you lucky to get that .all i get is £10 and maybe £25 is the temperature drops to minus numbers for a week. more chance of hell freezing over .lol.

I count it it as part of the pension but, as posted above, we are made to feel that it is a privilege to receive this from the goodness of their hearts when in fact they should have put the pension up by that amount.
The advantage of receiving it like this, in a lump sum at this time of year, is that we can ring-fence it for extra heating costs in the winter.

Leeds22 two letters are sent out because £10 Christmas Bonus is paid to some people under SPA who are in receipt of certain benefits, I receive this but am only 64, 2 years before I get my WFA if it hasn't been removed, no bus pass yet either so I have to run a car.

Can some-one answer why every-body still gets Free Prescriptions at age 60 when all other extras for State Pensioners have risen with the SPA?

When my DH was still working at 60 he received £200 WFA as did every-one over 60

I would scrap the heating allowance and give the money to those who really need it.
No Government would ever do that because there would be an outcry.
I get £200 but my husband gets £300 so between us we get £500 .
We shouldn’t both get money .
My idea is that we should tell the Government who are Supplier is and the money should go straight there.
One amount per household.

I cannot see the point of the £10 Christmas bonus ..
It should definitely be scrapped.
The money should be used where it is most needed.

Please note I meant “our ”supplier not ” are” supplier in my earlier message.

I am very intrigued that you and your husband get £500 Lancslass
I have never heard of anyone getting as much as that.
As you have told us, are there extenuating circumstances why you get so much between you?

I've never heard of anyone getting £500 between them either

Still await the letter from them,
Mick

We haven't had our letters yet, Mick

My £200 was deposited in my account a couple of days ago and I received my letter today.

I agree, you are the one and only person I have heard who is receiving £500 between the two of you.

Apologies
I have got that wrong.
My husband gets £200 and I get £100!
I knew £300 came into it somewhere.!
Excuse- I had just woken up after my lunchtime doze!

I can’t see the point of giving two lots of money to one household or to give an 80 year old double the amount of someone in his or her seventies.
If they must give us money then give one amount per household regardless of age.
If they gave £100 per household they could give us £50 each.

I have always been someone that, although I'm not very well off, has always had to pay for most things [prescriptions etc] because I fall short of claiming benefits. So I'm very pleased that I now, finally, qualify for something.

I nominate you for Chancellor of the Exchequeur Lancslass

The country needs you, turning £300 into £500 with the wave of a magic wand

So in a couple of years when I am 80, we will get £300 between us rather than the £200 we get at the moment? Why? Will I suddenly feel the cold more?

I won't be complaining though.

Like it Callistemon!

Apparently so ,Gone Girl..
If or when I reach 80, will we then get £400.?
Isn’t it ridiculous and wrong?

No Lancslass, you won't, I'm afraid. I copied the "what you will get" list onto page 2 of the thread.

Basically, you will not get more than £300 per household if one or both is over 80, however that household is comprised, and you will not get more than £200 in a household where you are receiving your pension but no one is over 80.

The only exception is if you are in a care home when you will get half the household amount depending on your age.

I don't see it as "wrong" but it is very cumbersome and outdated. If your income is high enough for you not to need it you will be being taxed appropriately. This is why taxes sometimes have to increase.

I still like the idea of a Basic Pensioners Income of £12,500 for everyone with no personal tax allowance and no income-related benefits except for housing. Simplicity is cheaper, I feel.

I know a friend who relies on this to buy her family Christmas presents .

I know I have said this before but I would just like to say again.

People (like myself) 64 who are not yet pension age so do not rec the WFA )

Can claim WARM FRONT GRANT of £140.

You have to meet certain criteria like earning under £16,000 a year, but there are other categories, so don't let that put you off!

Juts google "Warm Front grants" choose your supplier(you need your customer number and fill in a simple on line form or you can ring and speak to someone.