Winter Fuel Allowance for Expatriates

algarseco

http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Fairfuelhelp/
A petition is being organised via the above link to No 10 because expats who left the UK to live abroad before 1998 or became pensioners whilst living abroad after 1998 do not qualify for the winter fuel allowance. However, anyone who claimed say in 2000 whilst in the UK then went to live abroad get it automatically every year. This is grossly unfair. Either all should receive it or none. Anyone thinking of repatriating abroad before they reach state pension age will not receive it if we don't get the rules changed. Please take time to look at the link and join the petition. Also Martin, I think this is one for you to take on board. What do others think?

[Deleted User]

I think this isnt the place to promote you political ideas,rules are rules and we dont debate them on this board,here we try and help people who have problems.

Rikki

I don't think any pensioners living abroad should receive the allowance.

millie

Rikki wrote: »

I don't think any pensioners living abroad should receive the allowance.

No neither do I some of them even live in countries that do not get cold in the winter so don't need to use heating at all.

Fat_Fairy

Rikki wrote: »

I don't think any pensioners living abroad should receive the allowance.

I agree - and have had this argument with my parents who live in Spain and get the allowance :mad: . They argue that it does get cold there in wintertime and they 'paid into the system' before moving away, but I feel this should be just for the U.K. Afterall they chose to live elsewhere, partly due to the hot waether 8 months of the year, the lower cost of living, etc........

sammyjammy

When will people ever get it that its all about need (or should be) not what I'm entitled to because I paid in, it makes me so mad, it's one of the attitudes that is driving this country into the ground.

Oldernotwiser

millie wrote: »

No neither do I some of them even live in countries that do not get cold in the winter so don't need to use heating at all.

There are very few countries in Europe which don't get cold in winter. Many parts of Spain and France have far colder winters than the south of the UK.

As has been said before, this isn't the part of MSE to discuss these issues.

EdInvestor

sammyjammy wrote: »

When will people ever get it that its all about need (or should be) not what I'm entitled to because I paid in

It's about both.

Some "benefits" are contribution (NI) based, like the state pension, job seekers allowance and contribution based incapacity benefit.These are entitlements and are taxed but not means tested.

Some are need-based eg pension credit, income support, income based incapacity benefit. These are means tested.

Winter fuel allowance falls between the two - it's a discretionary benefit in the gift of the Government, mainly based on perceived need but not means tested or taxed..

Becles

Winter Fuel Allowance is an odd one. My Dad is 63 and claims it. Both my parents still work, and they go to Goa every January. Dad says he uses the Winter Fuel Allowance as spending money, as he's keeping warm in the sun!

It just seems wrong that they get something that they obviously don't need, yet I saw a news report about pensioners in Hull living in fuel poverty and they are scared to turn the heating on as gas/electric costs so much. Iceland has taken pity on them and sent a container full of thick jumpers and other woolies.

space_rider

Becles wrote: »

Winter Fuel Allowance is an odd one. My Dad is 63 and claims it. Both my parents still work, and they go to Goa every January. Dad says he uses the Winter Fuel Allowance as spending money, as he's keeping warm in the sun!

It just seems wrong that they get something that they obviously don't need, yet I saw a news report about pensioners in Hull living in fuel poverty and they are scared to turn the heating on as gas/electric costs so much. Iceland has taken pity on them and sent a container full of thick jumpers and other woolies.

My gran gets it and her bungalow is cold. My Feb 09 bill came up to £364 and the heating is on for 10 hours of the day. The winter fuel allowance would cover my bill so don`t understand why she only has her heating on for 4 hours a day. She`s over 80 so got £400 and her winter bill was £154.

sammyjammy

Its not means tested because it would cost more to do so than it does to give it to everyone (well those resident in Britain)