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

wakeupalarm

I just don't understand why the winter fuel allowance isn't simply divided by 52 and paid as part of an increased weekly state pension? Everyone would get a higher guaranteed state pension. Those who have low pensions would receive the same amount either through the pension or through the higher pension credit limit.

Those pensioners on average pensions (whatever that is) would receive a slightly lower amount but would still have the benefit of a higher guaranteed amount each week. Those wealthier pensioners would still receive something back for all their contributions. No extra administration needed, but rather a saving in the current administration costs of sending the winter fuel payment out.

Seems a simple solution to me, what am I missing?

Herbyme

It seems to me there will soon be lots more people aged 60 - 65 out of work and hard up onbenefits, living in bigger homes than they can now afford but unable to trade down because of the housing market being in the doldrums. They might find it hard to keep their homes heated all day. Maybe they are meant to keep warm in libraries? Although I expect they will all be shut down soon, or we'll have to pay to use them or staff them ourselves. I know what the idea is, cut government spending, I just don't see how people who are already hard up will manage without all the things that seem to be being taken away. Or am I missing something?

Doom_and_Gloom

summerof0763 wrote: »

again as i said previously if your disabled you dont get it,i literally freeze in the winter as i cannot afford my heating on,i stay in bed as long as i can to keep warm "some life"
most of the oaps round here dont need it,annoys me as i dont see the difference between an oap who can hardly get about,or someone who is disabled who can hardly get about,except age and i have a long way to go yet till i am a pensioner

I know how you feel. During the cold times I live in my snuggle as we can't afford to put the heating on for the amount of hours we need to really. Being disabled and not able to move around as much means when it's cold I feel the cold more than most. The £10 'bonus' we get wouldn't even touch the extra we would need to spend to keep the heating on when it's really cold.

The disabled don't get a fuel allowence even though they are usually inside when it's cold. It can also be between food and heating for the disabled. We went for food when we moved here as it was still very cold when wemoved here around 5 months ago. I'm not looking forward to when it gets colder again .

I can't believe how they are treating the ill/disabled and old at the moment!

Poosmate

The point you are both missing seems to be that not all 60+ people actually "need" the £250. As others have pointed out, there are many 60+ people still working, or have retired on a good pension (good for them) or are still pretty agile and "comfortable" on their pensions (maybe living in homes that are mortgage free.

It's just like saying everyone in the country who is working can claim say, £100, Working Tax Credit. I'd claim it because I'm working (and I could do with it) but even if I didn't actually "need" it, I'd still claim it because I'm entitled to it (and I pay my taxes).

A blanket issuing of the WFP is exactly the same, they're eligible because they are over 60. Means testing the payment would cost more than just handing out the payment so maybe the best way to deal with it is to up the blanket issue eligibilty age to 65 (sorry mom you too!). Anyone aged 60-64 would be eligible if certain criteria was met.

michaels

I'm enjoying the Labour howls for Fred the Shred (and his ilk) to receive £250 pa extra from the taxpayer.

I also particularly dislike the suggestion that subsidising the use of heating is the way forward given the threat of climate change - surely payments to improve insulation, clothing and activity levels for pensioners would be more beneficial than subsidising them to consume more heating and produce more CO2?

Doom_and_Gloom

michaels wrote: »

I'm enjoying the Labour howls for Fred the Shred (and his ilk) to receive £250 pa extra from the taxpayer.

I also particularly dislike the suggestion that subsidising the use of heating is the way forward given the threat of climate change - surely payments to improve insulation, clothing and activity levels for pensioners would be more beneficial than subsidising them to consume more heating and produce more CO2?

You seem to forget that people do need to keep their places heated at least to some degree even if they and or their home is insulated. We need to make sure that we have the heating on at least a little in cold weather or we risk damp and mold occuring. This flat is insulated rather well considering it is an old converted building but it can still be a problem. People renting like us also have to make sure we keep a place heated to a certain level to prevent this or our landlord will be after us for it.

Obviously as we are young we don't get the allowence but I can understand why older people would need it. If you have A standard GCH it can still be costly to put the heating on for 8 hours+ a day even if you are in a 1 bedroom place. We can't afford it for much more than 4 hours a day during the very cold times and I'm at home all day not really moving as I'm disabled. At least some of the old have the same problem.

Oh just as an addition I wear my snuggle, gloves, hat and scarf as well as full clothing and a jumper when it's very cold. Those hours of heating are needed for me as well as the prevention of damp and mold!

Gary1963

Surely it would be easy to just give it to those receiving the pension credit as they have already been means tested! My father and his partner get it and are well off as does my aunt who shares her house with her daughter and again is well off! If they means test they could give higher amounts rather than hand it out like sweets!

roddydogs

Ahhhhhhhh means testing, where the lazy, !!!!less, people who've never paid a penny into the system still get it, and someone whose paid in all their life, and saved a small amount dosent...is that means testing?

Firewallrob

Amazing how society places themselves in little sections......old / kids / unemployed / students etc etc.

Something happens to the pensioners, and people think "well i'm not a pensioner, so why should they get something I don't"

"I don't have kids, so why should people with them get more" (despite them paying your pensions in old age).

"Unemployed are scroungers - stop their benefits"

I'm not in the public sector / student / going to buy anything after the VAT rise in Jan (Yes I expect to even hear this one;)).

Picking off little sections (and the amazing way people alienate themselves by "not belonging" to which ever section is being picked on is making it sooooooo EASY FOR THIS GOVERNMENT.

Just remember that you WILL be next ....

KimYeovil

But the elderly are already entitled to twice the income of those who are younger - they don't actually need the payment. What, other than heating, is their extra income for?

If you want to maintain a universal Winter Fuel Payment the solution is simple - reduce the guaranteed pension credit by £2 per week and delay the WFP for a couple of years.

And the disabled don't need extra either - if they are so disabled that they are housebound they receive extra - if they are not that disabled then they can use libraries and job centres and shopping malls for warmth just like other unemployed people.