Winter Fuel Alllowance

Morglin

They are moving WFA in line when a person can claim their retirement pension, as they are with bus passes.

Cold Weather payments (for those on certain benefits) will continue as before, based on temperature.

There is also another scheme, paid on top of WFA and any other cold weather payment, led by the fuel companies, to give rebates to certain households:

http://www.people.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/2011/07/17/poorest-pensioners-to-get-120-off-heating-bills-this-winter-102039-23275566/

http://www.mymoneydiva.com/component/k2/item/885.html

Lin

Marisco

gemstargirl wrote: »

As I have said, if you budget properly, there really is no need for the WFA.

Those that complain that there should be, do so for two general reasons. One because they have spent their monthly fuel money on other things and two, the majority of OAP's use their WFA to cover the cost of Xmas!!

Link? Mine comes in handy to pay the car tax I have long said WFA should be means tested, and only those who need it should get it. I don't care about the arguments about "I've worked all my life so am entitled to it", bottom line is, if you don't need it, you shouldn't get it!! There are many pensioners who are far better off than people who work, the only ones who should get it are those on Pension Credits, as obviously they don't have enough if they need top ups!

Helen42

I totally agree that WFA should be means tested and I agree about budgeting, I have oil central heating which is expensive so am gradually changing over to solid fuel using a system that merges two heating sources as I dont have gas where I live. I have waited till I think the oil has bottomed out for the year but saved over the summer to get the tank filled and I have also bought wood and coal (and got wood free where I can) over the summer as the coal is £1 cheaper per bag during that period, some might call it stock piling I call it getting ready for the winter.

I was just courious how the government could say the WFA is in line with womens retirement age when they have in the last month or so changed it by six months and not changed the WFA which incidentally I dont get yet and my husband who has just had to retire at 59 cause of ill health will not get it for years yet.

I was curious about the female side of it as a friend who is 60 next july will now not get it for I think another two years or more cause of the dates supplied

Marisco

TBH, I'm totally confused about the retirement ages now, they seem to change it every few months!!! I just squeezed through the retirement at 60 rule :TI would have been madder than a box of frogs if I'd have had to wait another 1 or 2 years!!! :mad:

Oldernotwiser

Marisco wrote: »

TBH, I'm totally confused about the retirement ages now, they seem to change it every few months!!! I just squeezed through the retirement at 60 rule :TI would have been madder than a box of frogs if I'd have had to wait another 1 or 2 years!!! :mad:

But, if you'd missed it by a few months, as I did, you would only have needed 30 years' contributions for a full pension. For me, losing out on 6 months' pension was well worth it compared to getting an 80% pension for the rest of my life.

dark_lady

gemstargirl wrote: »

As I have said, if you budget properly, there really is no need for the WFA.

Those that complain that there should be, do so for two general reasons. One because they have spent their monthly fuel money on other things and two, the majority of OAP's use their WFA to cover the cost of Xmas!!

Sorry but after reading that thread you started about fraudulently claiming Carers Allowance for your daughter i find this a bit hypocritical to be honest.

Especially since its a choice to have children. Its not a choice to be ill or disabled or to get old.

System

gemstargirl wrote: »

There! another one like me that sees the WFA as nothing more than a disgrace. At least you are willing to stand up and admit that it is not used for fuel costs. That was my point exactly.

My WFA covers the costs of Christmas (food, presents and booze).

I doubt that there are many like us to be honest about how it is being abused!

And I would agree, it should only be paid to those in greatest need.

Those on Pension Credit, and those on income based ESA & JSA provided they have young children under 10.

To give it to multi millionaires who happen to be over pension age is just plain wrong.

If the government pulled the scheme completely, I wouldn't shed a tear even though I would lose it as well.

Claiming something else you don't actually need, there's a surprise...

frank_begbie

If you feel guilty you can always give it to a charity.

oldsporty

Speaking of this...anyone had theirs yet?

Oldernotwiser

oldsporty wrote: »

Speaking of this...anyone had theirs yet?

Not yet....