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Petition to save the winter fuel payment

(132 Posts)
sharon103 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:32:03

Please feel free to sign this petition to try to save the winter fuel payment for pensioners if you would like to. Link provided.
Thank you.

www.change.org/p/save-the-winter-fuel-payment

GrannyGravy13 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:36:04

Signed 👍

sassysaysso Tue 30-Jul-24 15:40:42

I am one of those whose income is slightly higher than the threshold for applying for Pension Credit. Will still not be signing.

JamesandJon33 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:41:31

Me too

JamesandJon33 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:44:08

I have signed for all those that rely on it.

Ilovecheese Tue 30-Jul-24 15:49:47

Well don't even think about doing a peaceful protest! You could get five years!

Casdon Tue 30-Jul-24 15:55:20

I don’t think reinstating a universal benefit paid to those who don’t need it as well as to those who do is the answer. I would sign a petition to change the financial threshold for eligibility for pension credit.

pascal30 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:57:44

Casdon

I don’t think reinstating a universal benefit paid to those who don’t need it as well as to those who do is the answer. I would sign a petition to change the financial threshold for eligibility for pension credit.

me too

Lovetopaint037 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:58:10

It wasn’t that long ago that some pensioners were claiming they didn’t need it as they were well off. At the time it was claimed that the admin to only give to those who needed it was too difficult. Now things are changing in a need for funding to be diverted to keeping the nhs going as smoothly as possible. We need the doctors and staff to achieve this. Up to now anyone,rich or not were given the winter fuel benefit as well as £10 at Christmas. Thiscountry’s finances have been mismanaged so much by this last government that their lies and cover ups have come home to roost and difficult choices have to be made. I am certainly not signing and we are not wealthy.

AGAA4 Tue 30-Jul-24 15:58:20

What I would prefer to see is the pension threshold being increased so that those who are only a small amount over can benefit from pension credit and get WFA.
Giving all pensioners the fuel payment when many don't need it is a step in the wrong direction.

Oldbat1 Tue 30-Jul-24 16:08:35

As others have said the pension credit levels need to be looked at. Surely not beyond processing that plus tapered And not cliff edge. Will not be signing.

nanaK54 Tue 30-Jul-24 16:10:38

Signed

sharon103 Tue 30-Jul-24 16:13:06

Ilovecheese

Well don't even think about doing a peaceful protest! You could get five years!

Not my petition Ilovecheese.
I'm alright as I have 2 working sons living at home and we split bills and shopping 3 ways but there are a huge amount of pensioners who really need this allowance.
It will be as I've heard in the past, having the choice of either eating or heating for them
I've signed for the benefit of the needy.

Redhead56 Tue 30-Jul-24 16:13:56

I signed

Freya5 Tue 30-Jul-24 16:25:12

It won't work. Labour have already got their on us. Wait until their first budget.

seadragon Tue 30-Jul-24 16:29:35

Not signing and not well off, though above the limit for Pension Credit. Would rather the cash went to the doctors, many of whom are earning less now than I was as a social worker 12 years ago! However, there are a lot of people who would qualify for Pension Credit and would urge anyone to have a look at this: www.gov.uk/pension-credit/what-youll-get You can have savings and still qualify...!

Grandmadinosaur Tue 30-Jul-24 16:34:56

Signed.

LauraNorderr Tue 30-Jul-24 16:45:17

I have signed for all those who will be cold this winter but don’t quite qualify for benefits.
Labour can reinstate it then take twelve months to sort out a threshold before just pulling the rug without notice.

sharon103 Tue 30-Jul-24 17:24:02

I've just had this in an email. I don't know how true this is.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced the Winter Fuel Payment will become means-tested later this year. The payment is currently paid to around 13 million pensioners and is intended to help older people with extra costs during the winter. Charities have slammed the move, with Age UK's Charity Director Caroline Abrahams CBE warning the move will "hurt the older people who need it the most".

sharon103 Tue 30-Jul-24 17:26:18

If true, that doesn't put this winters payment right though does it.

Theexwife Tue 30-Jul-24 17:28:32

I would like it reinstated for those on housing or council tax benefit but not for all,so I wont be signing.

growstuff Tue 30-Jul-24 17:49:17

Theexwife

I would like it reinstated for those on housing or council tax benefit but not for all,so I wont be signing.

From a selfish point of view, I agree. I don't qualify for Pension Credit, but I do receive Housing Benefit and a very small amount of Local Council Tax support. I also have an HC2 certificate, which means I don't pay for NHS dental charges or glasses. I am means-tested by the local council and the NHS Business Services Authority, so there is already evidence of my low income and savings. I'm assuming that I won't receive WFA, although I believe local councils have discretionary funds (for which I've never been eligible - I just don't tick the right boxes). I'll cope without WFA, but it's a blow because my long-term budget had assumed I'd receive it.

Personally, I think it should remain universal, but paid as part of increased pensions - and taxed. If the tax threshold were to be increased, it would mean that wealthier pensioners would lose some of the benefit on a sliding scale, without going to the expense and effort of having to means-test everybody. That would, of course, mean that tax systems would need to be robust and close down as many loopholes as possible.

heath480 Tue 30-Jul-24 17:53:34

Signed.This is just the beginning.

Mt61 Tue 30-Jul-24 18:16:44

sharon103

Please feel free to sign this petition to try to save the winter fuel payment for pensioners if you would like to. Link provided.
Thank you.

www.change.org/p/save-the-winter-fuel-payment

Signed & donated 👍🏻

Spinnaker Tue 30-Jul-24 18:32:37

Signed - if not for my benefit then for all the ones who do need it.