New petition - adjust winter fuel payments

Signed. Not sure if this is 100% accurate but it was stated that the winter fuel payment was given instead of a pension increase several years ago. One suggestion is that it could be added to your pension instead of a tax free payment that way those on higher incomes would pay tax. I don't qualify under the new rules, however my husband has vascular dementia and really feels the cold particularly in the winter months, in Scotland. Fortunately our house is modern and energy efficient but it doesn't stop him feeling cold. the WFP was a great benefit to us and I'm sure there are many others in a similar situation.

Already signed other petitions to reinstate it.

I think so too. There are many pensioners with health issues who need the heating on more than the average family. And also some very frail single pensioners living alone or in their nineties who need the heating on more.

I am so annoyed at the scrapping of the winter feul payment. Its the same old story work hard all your life and save for retirement and get virtually nothing
Or claim benefits and qualify for more benefits plus free handouts

I feel very angry about the wfp being removed. As usual I shall lose out as once again I am just above the level for getting any benefits pension credits or anything else. Am on low fixed pension, with all prices going up but not my pension. I have cancer but my back causes me most problems and cannot move quickly so feel the cold more. Women getting conned yet again. Our pension put back and back already. Is there any wonder that people dont make much effort to save for a pension when they see how we have struggled and saved and gone without to still end up with nothing!!

Agree. I really hope they change the criteria as so many pensioners have health issues and need EXTRA heating!

Just to say also, after this was announced, I switched our electricity tariff to another fixed one for a year which is saving about £300 a year, which helps. It's actually a higher daily standing charge, but 5p per kw lower for electricity (don't have gas) so over a year it's a saving. I did all the sums! That's with Eon Next - I'm not sure if you can switch companies these days.

So that is something to look at. But! We could have had both! A better tariff and the winter fuel payment because energy prices are still outrageously high.

People with health problems can claim different benefits, with components relevant to their particular issues.

You can imagine how high our bills are if it's saving £300 a year!

MissAdventure

People with health problems can claim different benefits, with components relevant to their particular issues.

I have cancer that has spread to different parts of my body, in my 70's but no help out there for me.

Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months
There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate.

This from the government website, Tiley.

Assuming you are a UK resident, you will definitely qualify.

Tiley

I am so annoyed at the scrapping of the winter feul payment. Its the same old story work hard all your life and save for retirement and get virtually nothing
Or claim benefits and qualify for more benefits plus free handouts

My view too, Tiley.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Well I feel I really want to give up now. In my eighties, worked hard in lifetime, piddling pension from work, recently diagnosed with a bleed on the brain. While worrying about my health and not thinking straight, a con man took me for a large amount of money for a repair to my house. I feel sick.

Now the thought of another cold winter with no help, and boy my bungalow is cold, is really depressing me.

Dottydots I'm so sorry to read of your situation.
Please contact Age UK as I think they are in a position to give you help and support. Please don't struggle on alone. Sending you a warm hug.

Good advice on here for you, please don’t give up 💐💐💐💐💐

MissAdventure

Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months
There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate.

This from the government website, Tiley.

Assuming you are a UK resident, you will definitely qualify.

Thank you Miss Adventure

Thank you Aldom. I am just going to have to bite the bullet, though, as I live on my own and wouldn't feel safe if I named him. I wouldn't want my sons, who live away, to know either.

It's bonkers Britain and nothing has improved since Starmer took over. In fact the opposite.

The WFA was a great help to me as I have only my savings which are diminishing rather quickly and my DH's state pension. We've just had a boiler repair as well so I'm really hoping they reinstate the allowance for those on us on a low income.

You're welcome, Tiley.
If you phone the macmillan helpline, they can talk you through every step of filling in the claim form - including scoring through some sections, as cancer will automatically mean you fulfill lots of the eligibility criteria. (Regardless of whether you actually have someone caring or you)

Dear Dottydots you don't have to mention the con man to Age UK. Just talk to them about your health issues and your fears for the coming winter.
Age UK will look into any potential benefits you may be entitled to.
Anything you tell them is confidential. Please let them help you, that is what they are there for.
Talking face to face is therapeutic.
All my best wishes.

Signed: as I have wanted a fairer and graduated approach and this offers one.
I did sign the "ban" ones too, to add to the calls for re-opening the issue.

Signed but have little faith in them listening.

Nobody has listened to the plight of the worse off, for years.

It's just that it's been easy to dismiss them as "others", and nothing to do with people who have worked, made do and mended, and are whizzes at lentil based cooking.