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Money Moral Dilemma: Should residents turn over their Winter Fuel Payment?
Former_MSE_Fraser
Posts: 40 Forumite
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...
As someone who works at a housing charity we provide sheltered accommodation, inclusive of heating. As they're not paying for their heating at all, should residents be asked to 'hand over' their Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 (which is sent directly to them) to help support the charity?
As someone who works at a housing charity we provide sheltered accommodation, inclusive of heating. As they're not paying for their heating at all, should residents be asked to 'hand over' their Winter Fuel Payment of between £100 and £300 (which is sent directly to them) to help support the charity?
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Comments
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What do you mean by 'asked'? 'Asking' is a world away from telling people directly 'you get your heating paid for, so you should hand it over.'
I don't think there's any harm in asking people to consider donating to charity, but it feels decidedly odd to use the people who your charity is there to support as a potential donor base! Would it not be better to start a campaign among other people, less in need of support, and ask them to donate their fuel allowance instead? Genuine question, because I worked in charity for a long time and I cannot work out why this would have been suggested in the first place, so it's possible that I don't fully understand the situation here.0 -
The fact that they're in sheltered housing suggests that they're vulnerable adults.
The fact that they receive a winter fuel payment shows they are on a low income
The fact that their fuel costs is included in their rent is by the by... The winter fuel allowance they receive directly is a top up that can be used to help them to pay that rent and indirectly their fuel. It can help them to pay for their food which is another form of fuel when you think about it...
Once the money is in their hands it's theirs to spend on what they see fit. You can suggest that they donate some of it to a charity of their choice.... but you have no right to demand it. Within their tangy agreement their fuel is included in their rent. That is the legal contract.0 -
Kabloomybuzz wrote: »You can suggest that they donate some of it to a charity of their choice.... but you have no right to demand it.
It wasn't suggested they could demand:As they're not paying for their heating at all, should residents be asked to 'hand over' their Winter Fuel Payment
Also asked to support the charity that houses them; not the charity of their choice.
The problem is that most pensioners don't look upon WFA as a contribution to heating bills, it is simply part of their annual income from all sources.0 -
"we provide sheltered accommodation, inclusive of heating"
If it's inclusive of heating that means the charge for heating is factored into the bills. The residents are able to receive some of the money they have paid you from the government. It's theirs not yours.0 -
If their heating is allowed for in their rent therefore they are paying for their heating so NO! they should keep it for themselves.over 73 but not over the hill.0
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yes they should forfiet the sum. I work for a homeless charity and clients are disrespectful in so far as they wack the heating up... Even when its snowing the windows are opened to let the heat out!...I think if you are in supported housing, despite a service charge for support, it is not acceptable to abuse the facilities available and then receive a benefit for heating etc. The charity has to pay the bills and this particular benefit should go to them to help manage the accommodation and provide reasonable living conditions without it being taken for granted....I have to pay my bills as expensive and disagreeable as they are... And I have to do without heating to manage other outgoings at times. The payment is for heating etc and should not be allowed for the client to use as disposable income....So it therefore should go to the person having to pay the bill!!!0
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IT IS NOT THIERS... It is for heating etc, not an added benefit that can be spent as you choose... As a tax payer I have to subsidise this...And yet I cant afford to heat my own home despite working full time and working to support those that receive such benefits to use as they wish! No way, its not acceptable to be used as an extra bonus to spend as wish when it is for heating etc...0
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Since the charity is paying the fuel bills, the charity should receive the winter fuel allowance. It should do so by increasing the rent to take account that this is part of the clients' incomes. So 'asking' would not be appropriate; the clients should simply be informed of the new rent.0
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Kabloomybuzz wrote: »The fact that they receive a winter fuel payment shows they are on a low income
Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think low income has anything to do with it. The last I heard everyone of a certain age is given it whether you're on benefits, a millionaire or an expat living in a hot country.0 -
What will you do if the tenant says they've already donated their fuel allowance to Syrian refugees?0
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