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Winter fuel allowance

(143 Posts)
tidyskatemum Fri 29-Nov-19 18:51:07

I was positively shocked to get a letter today giving me £200 winter fuel allowance. It had never occurred to me that I was now eligible. It a) makes me feel very old and b) guilty because I don’t need it. I guess means testing would cost a lot so I shall just accept that it’s a right, give the money to the Salvation Army and feel old but virtuous.

Charleygirl5 Fri 29-Nov-19 19:21:17

there will be another tenner arriving next month.

BBbevan Fri 29-Nov-19 19:24:02

What for ? * Charleygirl*

lavenderzen Fri 29-Nov-19 19:31:55

I am extremely thankful when mine arrives.

KatyK Fri 29-Nov-19 19:38:10

Yep. Christmas bonus ten quid. Ours always goes to charity.

boheminan Fri 29-Nov-19 19:42:28

...me too lavenderzen

merlotgran Fri 29-Nov-19 19:47:41

We've spent ours....on logs for the woodburner.

That's what it's for.

SueDonim Fri 29-Nov-19 21:06:17

I've just placed an order for heating oil. It'll last us about three months, less if winter is harsh, longer if it's mild, and the WFA will pay about two thirds of the cost of £311.00.

BradfordLass72 Fri 29-Nov-19 21:11:12

Two hundred pounds!!!
Blimey, you lucky duck; I could stay warm for years on that smile

lemongrove Fri 29-Nov-19 21:11:31

Yes, it’s very useful, have just ordered more logs.Some of it we use for buying clothes for one of our DGC.

annsixty Fri 29-Nov-19 21:12:39

I am fortunate that I can give mine to charity, I do know that but not having my eye on the ball last year with my H being so ill I find I have been given £300.
Is this a mistake or is it because I am over 80.?
Does anyone have the answer to this?
I don’t want to have to repay if I have given it away.

annep1 Fri 29-Nov-19 21:14:22

I use a lot more on winter heating because of health. I don't feel guilty.

farview Fri 29-Nov-19 21:19:08

Snap merlotgran..logs bought here also..plus a large bag of kindling..
Not been up to the forage for it this year!

Barmeyoldbat Fri 29-Nov-19 21:43:24

I have never ever bought any logs in 14 years of using a log burner. We collect pallets for kindling and go out looking for logs and chopped down stress. Skips are a good place to look, Mr B also makes paper bricks to burn. Saying all this we do buy 3 bags of coal a year as the coal seems to burn longer. Used some of the WFA on this.

I don't feel any guilt in receiving anything from the Government.

Rainwashed Fri 29-Nov-19 21:47:24

Yes it is £300 if you were over 80 before 22nd September, it says so on the gov.uk website.

Juliet27 Fri 29-Nov-19 21:56:14

out looking for logs and chopped down stress

I do love predictive text!!

EllanVannin Fri 29-Nov-19 22:39:50

Send it back if you don't need it, Tidyskatemum.

EllanVannin Fri 29-Nov-19 22:45:34

At least you've justified the fact that not all pensioners need this extra money. I hope those who lambasted me on another thread reads this one !

cornergran Fri 29-Nov-19 22:53:10

No, not everyone needs it but many do and ours is certainly very welcome to offset winter bills. If it wasn’t needed it would go to a local charity. Each winter brings a sometimes heated thread or two on this topic, perhaps good to remember we can agree to disagree.

BlueBelle Fri 29-Nov-19 22:57:23

£300 if you’re over 80 and £200 under
Surely if someone doesn’t need it they can find a charity or a needy family to give it to

Callistemon Fri 29-Nov-19 22:58:21

We do use extra heating now we're home much more so I'm not sending it back to the government.

We give more than that to charity especially if you count what we put in the food bank. At least I know where it's going, goodness know what the government would do with it.

Callistemon Fri 29-Nov-19 22:59:48

What if one in a couple is over 80 and one under?

Chewbacca Fri 29-Nov-19 23:07:23

Is it an automatic payment that you get when you reach SPA? Or do you have to apply for it?

gmarie Fri 29-Nov-19 23:11:22

Reading your responses gives me more hope for humanity! Love that some use the allowances and bonuses for heating needs and others give to charities. I have a sneaking suspicion that many here in the states would go out and buy a phone upgrade or gaming station, but perhaps I'm being too cynical...

Callistemon Fri 29-Nov-19 23:17:07

Can't cope with the phone I've got
As for a gaming station? What's that?
grin

I can't remember Chewbacca but I think it came automatically along with the extra £10 Christmas bonus, unchanged since 1972!