Winter Fuel Payments - Qualifying dates

Be_Happy

I was reading a magazine article on this and thought the following information might be useful.

Qualifying For Winter Fuel Payments

Winter Born on, or before
2010/11 5 July 1950
2011/12 5 January 1951
2012/13 5 July 1951
2013/14 5 January 1952
2014/15 5 July 1952

To qualify for the first time this year you have to be resident in the UK in the week of 20-26 September 2010. Once it is in payment it can be paid in certain other countries.

The article also mentions that the Treasure has considered means-testing or taxing the payment, but nothing has been announced.

margaretclare

The article also mentions that the Treasury has considered means-testing or taxing the payment, but nothing has been announced.

A lot is being discussed at the moment but nothing yet decided. Apparently there was a letter in the 'Independent' last week from a couple who had written to George Osborne asking how they could give their winter fuel payment back - they don't need it.

I personally don't see why this could not be linked to pension credit, so that those who really need it could still have it, but those of us who do NOT need it wouldn't qualify for it. Apparently one drawback is that means-testing/taxing actually causes more administrative costs than the payment itself costs.

monkeyspanner

So it is a moving target on that as well as state pensions

uk1

It's now law.


"You could get Winter Fuel Payment if both the following apply:

• you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1950)
• you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010"

My wife and I were born September 1950 ... and a few months ago she was told we would get the allowance this year ....... now we don't!
Are we the only one's that cannot recall seeing any publicity or newspaper articles about the cahnge actually happening?

seven-day-weekend

uk1 wrote: »

It's now law.


"You could get Winter Fuel Payment if both the following apply:

• you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1950)
• you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010"

My wife and I were born September 1950 ... and a few months ago she was told we would get the allowance this year ....... now we don't!
Are we the only one's that cannot recall seeing any publicity or newspaper articles about the cahnge actually happening

The age for all the Benefits/concessions where qualification was based on the womens' retirement age is now going up along with the rise in this age. This will include Winter Fuel Allowance, Pension Credit and free Bus Pass. Seems common sense to me.

*Chattie*

the free bus pass depends on if you live in England, Wales or Scotland

uk1

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

The age for all the Benefits/concessions where qualification was based on the womens' retirement age is now going up along with the rise in this age. This will include Winter Fuel Allowance, Pension Credit and free Bus Pass. Seems common sense to me.

Thanks -- but how was the change conveyed to the public exactly? I've seen nothing.

zygurat789

*Chattie* wrote: »

the free bus pass depends on if you live in England, Wales or Scotland

No, you get a pass to travel on the buses in your country free if you live in England Scotland or Wales

zygurat789

margaretclare wrote: »

A lot is being discussed at the moment but nothing yet decided. Apparently there was a letter in the 'Independent' last week from a couple who had written to George Osborne asking how they could give their winter fuel payment back - they don't need it.

I personally don't see why this could not be linked to pension credit, so that those who really need it could still have it, but those of us who do NOT need it wouldn't qualify for it. Apparently one drawback is that means-testing/taxing actually causes more administrative costs than the payment itself costs.[/QUOTE]

Since there is already a test for pension credit this is a sensible suggestion which is why it would never be considered by any civil service mandarins who are desparately trying to retain and justify their overpaid jobs.
Every November time the DSS publish a new annual list of benefits, on A4 paper it covers about 20 sides some benefit rates differing by as much as 1p.

seven-day-weekend

uk1 wrote: »

Thanks -- but how was the change conveyed to the public exactly? I've seen nothing.

I have actually seen things but personally I thought it was self-explanatory that things that were linked to the womens's State Pension age would remain linked to it, so that when it went up, so does the age at which you can claim the others.

Obviously it does not appear that clear to others!


From this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657


Changes to the qualifying age

The qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments for both men and women is rising in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age.
To have reached the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 you will need to be born on or before 5 July 1950.

uk1

seven-day-weekend wrote: »

I have actually seen things but personally I thought it was self-explanatory that things that were linked to the womens's State Pension age would remain linked to it, so that when it went up, so does the age at which you can claim the others.

Obviously it does not appear that clear to others!


From this link:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Pensionsandretirementplanning/Benefits/BenefitsInRetirement/DG_10018657


Changes to the qualifying age

The qualifying age for Winter Fuel Payments for both men and women is rising in line with the increase in women’s State Pension age.
To have reached the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 you will need to be born on or before 5 July 1950.

No it is clear to others but it is you that have misunderstood the history. The bus passes and winter fuel allowances weren't originally linked to retirement age.

The women's retirement age changed sometime ago.

The bus passes were set for "over 60's" and changed much later. Firstly - for a few weeks it changed to 65 for all - then when there was a minor uprising - it was changed and linked to retirement ages so women didn't wait to 65 within the contentious age range.

Winter fuel allowances were for over 60's and have only just been changed.