cold weather payment

TIRkiz_2

Last winter i didn't get any payments, yet the year before i received 3. I'm sure last winter was colder (as i had to resort to sleeping downstairs with the fire on)

alexcross

Tir sounds like it very much depends on the area in which you live as to how much and when it is paid which I can see does make sense as it can be colder in some areas than others. what gets me is when you are spending 40 + a week on gas ( as I do) £8.50 (although very graetfully recieved) does not make a whole heep of difference.

mum2one

In 5 yrs I have had 2 payments, it use to be over 4 ngts, but they upped it to 7 ngts. Again its regional.

Ames

I haven't had a payment in the last five years. It drives me mad that it has to be cold for 7 days, why can't it be cumulative (well, obviously it's because they don't want to spend the money). How can it be fair that it's got to be cold for 7 days before you know whether you can turn the heating on or not, surely by the time the seven days is up you're already damaging yourself by not having the heating on.

mum2one

The idea of 7 consectuvie mgts is its unlikely to happen, Gordon Brown made such a big speech of increasing from £7 to £25.......in the knowing that its such a small amout of the population they pay ou.

I know I may sound awful, but anyone over the age of 60 automatically gets the winter payment, yet those who meet the means tested benefits on which ever part, generally are at home more and need the heating, yet dont get anything.

foxxymynx

mum2one wrote: »

I know I may sound awful, but anyone over the age of 60 automatically gets the winter payment, yet those who meet the means tested benefits on which ever part, generally are at home more and need the heating, yet dont get anything.

I don't uderstad why someoe over 60 and active needs the cold weather payment more than someoe uder 60 and has impaired mobility They say every time someone confronts them, that that's what DLA is for - but they say part of it is mobility allowance and part is care allowance! So are we supposed to become entirely houseboud over winter to usethe mobility component for heating or something?

TaBunny

I'm confused, I live in London, I'm disabled on high rate care DLA and also income support and IB how do I know if I will get this money do I apply and I don't even know if the temp has dropped that low yet. Anyhow all I know is my heating has to be on almost 24/7 or I can't move my joints, if I get even a little cold then I start to shake and can't move so I could do with this money as my heating bills are no doubt going to be astronomical

alexcross

it seems to be a touchy sunject and rightly so. I agree that if pensioners get their one-off winter payment then the same should go for those on DLA (and I belive it should be at least half of what pensioners get and not a measly £8 -£25) this said I am not saying that the elderly do not deserve it because they surley do and they need it.
but so do the disabled. It should reallt have nothing to do with how cold it is for how many days we all know winter is a tough time and we spend much much more on fuel bills than in the summer.
I have gripped for years about free school meals for children too, they feed them at school but we don't get extra when they are on holiday and this seems to be the way the government works right through out their benefits system.
you don't have to apply for it it is sent to you once the weather has been 0 degrees or below for 7 days in a row without warming up slightly.
(just for those who are unsure)

Ames

The elderly need it but do the over 60s? I mean, I know a lot of 60 year olds who are still fit and active, more than I do ones who aren't. And a lot still work at that age! If it were over 70s I'd probably agree more.

[Deleted User]

I could do with it as I have to have the heating on 24/7 and sleep next to the radiator with a leccky blanket, duvet, hot water bottle and a kitty to keep warm. I think that the gov are being stingy and need to help all those with chronic conditions (inc pensioners and the under 60's), with help to keep warm. Esp' wiv the riduculous fuel price rises...

OK rant over! I hope we all get the payment, unlikely, but hope springs eternal...