winter fuel payment

Newly_retired

I've been getting this myself since I was 60. DH is not yet 65 so he doesn't get it automatically and has never applied, therefore I get the full amount for us both. Is there any drawback to continuing to do this until he gets it in his own right at 65 when he draws his state pension?
I know that 25 Sept is the deadline to apply.

McKneff

He doesnt get it his own right, the winter fuel payment that you get is for the household so its one winter payment per household no matter how many people over 60 live there.Sorry.
(its got nothing to do with him being 65), the winter fuel payment is for people over 60 so you have been sharing it since you both became 60

Newly_retired

Yes, thanks, I do know that. I know him applying won't mean we get any more money, we'll just share the same amount. But surely when he gets his state pension at 65 it will then be divided and we'll each get half and this will happen automatically, won't it?
I suppose I'm just wanting to see if we're missing anything here that might be detrimental at any time in the future. At the moment we don't think it makes a scrap of difference, which is why he hasn't bothered to apply himself. Might the rules change? Who knows, with a new government.

McKneff

The payment is given at 60, not 65 for men and women so he has been getting it for the past 4 years without actually realising it.;)

Its paid in one lump sum to one or the other, as far as I am aware and not half each.

dzug1

McKneff wrote: »

The payment is given at 60, not 65 for men and women so he has been getting it for the past 4 years without actually realising it.;)

Its paid in one lump sum to one or the other, as far as I am aware and not half each.

It is paid half each if both apply.

At present it makes no difference to total household income either way. It's always possible that if the rules change it could make a difference depending on which way you opt to do it. But that's unpredictable and could go either way.

And a future government of whatever political complexion might see it as a target for spending cuts - freezing, reduction or means testing are more likely than abolition.

margaretclare

Nothing is set in stone. While the free bus pass and/or winter fuel payments were introduced as possible vote-catchers (older people being known to be more likely to vote than others) it seems that everything, just everything, will be scrutinised by any government needing to make savings. And really, we cannot go on borrowing money at the rate we've seen over the past year. While I realise there are many other less deserving causes that could/should be cut first, I don't think we should lull ourselves into any false sense of security. DLA/AA are already under scrutiny. Others could follow.

Errata

Looks like it's £250 for 2009/10.

What is a Winter Fuel Payment?

The Government will again be making Winter Fuel Payments to most people aged 60 or over for winter 2009/10.
A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm this winter.
If you are aged 60 to 79 and you are entitled to receive a Winter Fuel Payment, this year you will get either £125 or £250, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week (21 to 27 September 2009).
If you are aged 80 or over and you are entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment, this year you will get either £200, £275 or £400, depending on your circumstances in the qualifying week

anmarj

Newly_retired wrote: »

Yes, thanks, I do know that. I know him applying won't mean we get any more money, we'll just share the same amount. But surely when he gets his state pension at 65 it will then be divided and we'll each get half and this will happen automatically, won't it?
I suppose I'm just wanting to see if we're missing anything here that might be detrimental at any time in the future. At the moment we don't think it makes a scrap of difference, which is why he hasn't bothered to apply himself. Might the rules change? Who knows, with a new government.

In theory he should of applied for his half share when he turned 60 and you paid half, if you are in recepit of Pension Credit then the claiment will get the payment for the household, this even applies when your OH turns 65. If you are not in receipt of Pension Credit then as long as he is 65 before the Qualifing week and is in RECEIPT of a benefit then he will get a half share which would get paid automatically.

Newly_retired

We are not on Pension Credit as we both have occupational pensions. DH is also working p/t until he is 65.
I get State Pension as well. He doesn't get his till he is 65. I thought he would then automatically get WFB and mine would be cut back by half, so the total would not change.
So we don't need to change anything now?

dzug1

Newly_retired wrote: »

We are not on Pension Credit as we both have occupational pensions. DH is also working p/t until he is 65.
I get State Pension as well. He doesn't get his till he is 65. I thought he would then automatically get WFB and mine would be cut back by half, so the total would not change.
So we don't need to change anything now?

No you don't NEED to. It's up to you.