Winterfuel payment 2010???

oldsporty

Maybe I am missing something, we do not get over £200.00 net a week and we get no housing costs. You also have to remember some old people may have debts, illness etc. that takes away from their weekly money. I totally agree with pwales that many won't/don't claim what is there for them either through ignorance of what is out there or due to pride.

Gemstar30

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

You seem to forget that all pensioners will be living on at least double what an unemployed couple receives. No pensioners will be living in poverty in the UK, although I'm sure that many are grateful for help towards winter fuel bills.

Old but, wiser!

Yes you certainly have nailed that one!! I for one cannot and never will understand the logic in saying that when somebody gets to over 60 the government doubles overnight what they see as the bare minimum that they need to live on.

Maybe, and I have said this before, the state see it that people under 60 should work and think that if they doubled their benefit, their would be no incentive at all.

Gemstar30

oldsporty wrote: »

Maybe I am missing something, we do not get over £200.00 net a week and we get no housing costs. You also have to remember some old people may have debts, illness etc. that takes away from their weekly money. I totally agree with pwales that many won't/don't claim what is there for them either through ignorance of what is out there or due to pride.

I don't know what your personal circumstances are but the MINIMUM that a couple with one over 60 will get is £202.40.
On top of that there are other add on's which could take it to well over £309 per week. In addition Attendance Allowance and/or DLA is paid.

Obviously if you have other income or benefits, it doesn't matter, it will be brought up to those figures.
In addition with that level of income, ALL of the Council Tax & Rent is paid as well.

Now if they have debts, that is something totally different. They ought to address that problem!
Illness, as I said will increase the £309 by other non means tested benefits.

I spend a good deal of my free time working with charities especially for those over 60 and the less well off. I will agree that a good few don't help themselves to what they are entitled to, that is nobody's fault except their own. I try to encourage everybody I come across to examine their finances with the help of AgeUK & CAB.
But there is only so much you can do!

The point in question is that there should be no OAP in poverty except in those cases where they have debts, have no idea on how to manage their money or simply refuse to ask for it.

Even at £202 per week that is the equivalent of £13,000 gross which is more than what the ordinary man in the street earns for working 35 hours per week at the NMW!!!

Oldernotwiser

oldsporty wrote: »

Maybe I am missing something, we do not get over £200.00 net a week and we get no housing costs. You also have to remember some old people may have debts, illness etc. that takes away from their weekly money. I totally agree with pwales that many won't/don't claim what is there for them either through ignorance of what is out there or due to pride.

If you get less than this you should be claiming Pension Credit which will top up your income to £202 and allow you to claim help with your housing costs as well.

Nothing much can be done about people who have debts but people with disabilities can claim extra help from DLA or AA.

brogusblue

Just had my mums winter fuel allowance paid in today sat 13/11/10..

KxMx

Grandad has had his letter but Nan won't get hers until after xmas judging by last year!

Old_Git

I have just ordered heating oil for a 79 year old relative .The oil cost £406 and might last until the end off January with the heating running 24/7.
The £250 payment will help .

Invalidation

oldsporty wrote: »

Hello all, short and sweet, has anyone received theirs yet? If so, has it been reduced like they threatened?

Got my letter yesterday, but havent seen the payment into the bank as yet.
Probably in the next few weeks, no rush.

Gemstar30

Hi,

I received my £250 giro this morning, went to the Post Office to cash it and went to the Salvation Army who I volunteer for over Christmas and gave it to them.

There are a lot more deserving people around that don't get it than I am. It will do a lot of good.

bertiebat

Gemstar30 wrote: »

Hi,

I received my £250 giro this morning, went to the Post Office to cash it and went to the Salvation Army who I volunteer for over Christmas and gave it to them.

There are a lot more deserving people around that don't get it than I am. It will do a lot of good.

I think you will find that giros are a thing of the past when it comes to paying this benefit.

Agree with your more deserving people thought though.