winter fuel payment and the government,

JenniferEccles

Exactly loveOc.
You’ve hit the nail on the head!
My views too

It’s easy to make the assumption that every pensioner on a low income is in that position because they failed to “be sensible” earlier in life. I can only speak from personal experience. I spent 30 years prior to pension age providing 24hr care to family member with a severe learning disability who was totally dependent on me.

During the last 8 years of his life he also developed Alzheimer’s. I was in no position earn/save/pay into a pension fund. I did receive carer pension credits which protected my entitlement to full state pension amount.

The labour government will be counting the deaths due to cold, one by one and the `savings` will slowly add up. They will be smiling inwardly, that is how they will save money.

Much as despise our current government, shouldn’t we be looking at the energy companies and what they are charging?

Their profits have risen sharply since the so called energy crisis.

www.endfuelpoverty.org.uk/energy-giants-see-457-billion-profits-as-consumers-bills-rise/#:~:text=As%20of%20the%20end%20of,before%20the%20energy%20crisis%20started.

We’ve been had.

travelsafar

This very subject was being discussed on the radio yesterday and a lady suggested that everyone bee put on the higher rate of state pension eradicating the need for WFP and PC.
It would also cut down on the administration costs involved with those two benefits.
Could it really be as simple as that??

It could certainly be cheaper and easier for the authorities, if most people entitled to Pension Credit actually claimed it. But many pensioners currently on Pension Credit would be worse off if this happened, travelsafar.

As Grannynannywanny has said, she is on the full new state pension, and doesn’t get any of the extra benefits PC brings with it.

Some people will even have bought in extra years to get the full state pension, and are now worse off because of that.

Exactly loveOc.
You’ve hit the nail on the head!
My views too.

The threshold for pension credit is the new state pension. You don’t need to have over that amount to be ineligible. Those in receipt of the full new state pension don’t receive pension credit .

Doodledog

I would like to see the WFP reinstated, but given to everyone who ‘deserves’ it. That would include young people with families - people of all ages who can’t afford to put the heating on despite working (where they can, or when they could).

I don’t think it’s fair to give it based on age as opposed to need, and regardless of contributions.

Totally agree!

Whitewavemark2

Information fro Google

If your sole income is the state pension, you may be able to claim benefits such as:
Pension Credit: You can claim Pension Credit if you have reached State Pension age. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension and you can get it even if you have other income, savings, or own your own home.
Housing Benefit: You can claim Housing Benefit if you're at State Pension age and rent your property.
Winter Fuel Payment: You can claim Winter Fuel Payment if you receive Pension Credit.
Support for Mortgage Interest: You can claim Support for Mortgage Interest if you receive Pension Credit and own your property.
Council Tax discount: You can claim a Council Tax discount if you receive Pension Credit.
Free TV licence: You can claim a free TV licence if you're aged 75 or over and receive Pension Credit.
Cold Weather Payment: You can claim the Cold Weather Payment if you receive Pension Credit and it's very cold in your area for some time.

Some people are ever so slightly over the threshold to claim PC so are basically screwed!

madeleine45

because if we get cold enough we will die and then they wont have to pay us a pension or look after us in hospital or at home!!

Doodledog knows exactly what you mean Madeleine45

The unfairness of means tested benefit is that someone who has saved, and not squandered their money during their life is penalised. This should not be the case. Maybe if you were rewarded for being sensible with your money during life it would encourage other people to be the same. More wealth within the country. Not being used up on benefits.

Whitewavemark2 I posted from personal experience. My sole income is the new state pension and I live alone . I’m not eligible for pension credit. I’ve applied a few times in recent years and I’m told I’m not eligible as I receive the full amount of state pension. I would receive pension credit if I had a shortfall in my pension. I know from previous threads I’m not the only poster here in that position. It’s a common misconception that everyone in my position is eligible for pension credit and therefore the WFA and other add ons that come with it.

I'm pleased that so many more pensioners have applied for pension credit and are receiving the WFP as well as other benefits. I'm fortunate and can afford to heat the house but we remain very careful and I use a heated throw which you can buy from Tesco for as little as £20 , keeps me toasty warm very cheaply.

This very subject was being discussed on the radio yesterday and a lady suggested that everyone bee put on the higher rate of state pension eradicating the need for WFP and PC.
It would also cut down on the administration costs involved with those two benefits.
Could it really be as simple as that??

Information fro Google

If your sole income is the state pension, you may be able to claim benefits such as:
Pension Credit: You can claim Pension Credit if you have reached State Pension age. Pension Credit is separate from your State Pension and you can get it even if you have other income, savings, or own your own home.
Housing Benefit: You can claim Housing Benefit if you're at State Pension age and rent your property.
Winter Fuel Payment: You can claim Winter Fuel Payment if you receive Pension Credit.
Support for Mortgage Interest: You can claim Support for Mortgage Interest if you receive Pension Credit and own your property.
Council Tax discount: You can claim a Council Tax discount if you receive Pension Credit.
Free TV licence: You can claim a free TV licence if you're aged 75 or over and receive Pension Credit.
Cold Weather Payment: You can claim the Cold Weather Payment if you receive Pension Credit and it's very cold in your area for some time.

I heard Wes Streeting being interviewed this morning while trying to defend the decision to remove the WFA except for those on qualifying benefits. He said the chancellor has taken steps to protect the poorest pensioners on the lowest income to ensure they still receive it.

It’s so frustrating to hear this being churned out. Those whose sole income is the new state pension are not entitled to pension credit and therefore will not receive the WFA. They have the unenviable title of the poorest pensioners. Especially those who live alone and their heating costs are the same as those for a couple.

Those with a shortfall in their state pension and in receipt of pension credit to top it up to the full amount are the ones who will receive the WFA. Pension Credit is also a gateway to other advantages such as free dental care. Pensioners with state pension as their sole income are at a great disadvantage.

18 degrees is too cold in our home if we’re not active. I have a chronic pain condition and an autoimmune condition, both worsen to unmanageable if I get cold. My husband has heart valve issues and has been advised to be very careful in cold weather. We’re OK on 18 when we’re moving and busy, if we need to rest or simply want to relax then 21 is the minimum comfort level.

It seems to me there can’t be a one size fits all with home temperature. A wheelchair user will likely feel the cold far more than someone mobile and physically active. The document in the link above acknowledges this.

VANECAM

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2014/10/21/preventing-avoidable-deaths-this-winter/
Government Recommended minimum temperature drops 3 points to 18 degrees.

18 degrees is what our thermostat is set at and we find it warm enough, neither of us likes to be too hot.

madeleine45

because if we get cold enough we will die and then they wont have to pay us a pension or look after us in hospital or at home!!

This is true. I think they should reinstate the wfa for all pensioners.People on PC get it and someone who is just over does not and often they are worse off.
Well sod it I am going to eat and my heating will go on. I am not a rich pensioner nor a poor one. I refuse to go cold and hungry. I know some pensioners are not so lucky, and the cold will have a adverse affect on their health as well.

because if we get cold enough we will die and then they wont have to pay us a pension or look after us in hospital or at home!!

Totally agree Doodledog

I would like to see the WFP reinstated, but given to everyone who ‘deserves’ it. That would include young people with families - people of all ages who can’t afford to put the heating on despite working (where they can, or when they could).

I don’t think it’s fair to give it based on age as opposed to need, and regardless of contributions.

ukhsa.blog.gov.uk/2014/10/21/preventing-avoidable-deaths-this-winter/
Government Recommended minimum temperature drops 3 points to 18 degrees.

There are lots of experts on batch cooking and saving money on gransnet, so I guess it's lucky you're here, since they are happy to share their hints and tips, usually.

Oh bring it on Madeleine 45. I will be here with you sipping a tipple. Or water if that’s your thing. I’m a Waspi woman with no hope there so as a retired entrepreneur I am now an eBay Queen. 40 to 50 years of aquirements being sold into the retirement fund. Used to give everything to charity shops until they refused to take my Samsonite suitcases!

I feel so sorry for those unable to keep warm, it's heartbreaking. What on earth has this country come to and still we keep taking more people each day, it's daft.