MSE News: Winter benefits face cuts in welfare shake-up

Former_MSE_Natasha

This is the discussion thread for the following MSE News Story:

"The Government's plans to radically shake-up the welfare system could see benefits for the elderly, including winter fuel allowances, cut drastically as Britain claws back from the recession..."

Read the full story:
Winter benefits face cuts in welfare shake-up

dalek

Disgusting!

Heating or eating is the choice for alot of poor OAP's in Winter.

They can't get out because of the weather and fear of falling/slipping and breaking bones - so they are stuck indoors all day - freezing!

Pensioners don't like being in debt so will sit in the cold rather than run up huge bills.

Plushchris

I know of a fair few OAPs that use their "winter fuel allowance" to fund Christmas, their winter holiday or anything else they need to spend their money on other than fuel (and then moan about the cost of fuel)

I'm not saying I agree with the cuts but I just dont agree with how these payments are made in the first place as I'd bet a fair share of these payments do not get spent on the fuel they are meant for.

hebron

That's what happens when it's a payment made to everyone and not just the poor and needy. If they cut it across the board the well off with still be able to fund other activities, while the poor and needy just get colder and could suffer or even die.

Andy_WSM

Cut it for those that don't need it. - Means test the payments. Plenty of OAPs need the money for Winter fuel, but plenty of others squander it on the Christmas booze.

Paulgonnabedebtfree

So when is this generous government going to start issuing our pensioners with tin foil sheets.
If they really want to save money they could simply halve Quisling Clegg's pay to 15 pieces of silver.

summerof0763

think the poorer pensioners should get it,also the disabled i struggle to keep warm in the winter

DX2

Andy_WSM wrote: »

Cut it for those that don't need it. - Means test the payments. Plenty of OAPs need the money for Winter fuel, but plenty of others squander it on the Christmas booze.

Totally agree!

krisskross

We don't particularly earmark the WFP for fuel bills but then we pay by direct debit throughout the year so never get bills. In fact we are probably paying for our winter fuel now.

I have no issue at all with stopping the payments, but I seem to remember it was simply a method of raising the State Pension.

Means testing the benefit would be fairly simple in that it could perhaps be paid only to anyone on pension credit. But then all the pensioners who have provided for themselves are the losers once more. Those that have spent every penny they earned instead of saving get everything.

As we are fairly frugal with energy and have a lovely warm home the £250 pays for 5 months costs.

The disabled are already catered for with DLA, a payment to help with the additional costs disability can bring, including extra heating.

dmg24

dalek wrote: »

Disgusting!

Heating or eating is the choice for alot of poor OAP's in Winter.

They can't get out because of the weather and fear of falling/slipping and breaking bones - so they are stuck indoors all day - freezing!

Pensioners don't like being in debt so will sit in the cold rather than run up huge bills.

How many sixty year olds fall into this category, considering that the great majority of them will still be working full time?

st999

What about the pensioners who have moved to the sun for the winter so they don't need to heat their house?

They still get the heating allowance.

Why should they get it when they don't even spend any money on heating?

And I know someone who does that as I keep an eye on their house while they are away and all I get is a bottle of vodka.