Winter Heating Allowance

bundlebob

My OH thought he would get his last year (was 60 in Oct 2011) but he was told, no, he would get it this year, but now he has to wait until next year, as the dates for claiming you have to be 61 before April 2012. Will the goal post change again next year, I wonder?

no1catman

This will be the third one I'll get - when it arrives. My understanding is that it is not benefit related - think that applies to the Cold weather payment.
I have not retired yet, still working - a couple more years to go.

Dollardog

pollypenny wrote: »

WFB is age-related. OH had it when he was 60, although we were both working and on good salaries.

I'd say it should only be paid when someone claims their retirement pension, unless there are other reasons for needing the help.

Some of us are on low income and not on any benefits. I would love to have mine when I reach 60 but its changed now to people born before July 5th 1951, so I don't qualify.

Biggles

Arrived this morning.

margaretclare

no1catman wrote: »

This will be the third one I'll get - when it arrives. My understanding is that it is not benefit related - think that applies to the Cold weather payment.
I have not retired yet, still working - a couple more years to go.

Cold weather payments are related to means-tested benefits. Winter fuel payment is not. There was some discussion as to whether the very rich - think Lord Sugar - should be entitled, but he still is.

Errata

How much would it cost to means test every year everyone eligible for WFA?

margaretclare

Errata wrote: »

How much would it cost to means test every year everyone eligible for WFA?

That was why the argument went nowhere. Instead, there was a suggestion that those who don't need it should give to charity instead. Dame Joan Bakewell headed that initiative.

I'm not doing that - I've given a lot to charity this year already. I'm going to need some money in the New Year for something personal, so I'm being extra-MSE for the rest of this year.

clemmatis

Goldenyears wrote: »

Someone should update that entry with a UK version. Until not many years ago it was considered to be those born 1946-1950. I don't understand the relevance of this US source. The total UK birth numbers clearly indicate a peak in 1947 (that's me) and settling down in 1951. In 1964 you are almost at the next miniboom, the children of the baby boomers. Now they were lucky - rant over

I've just noticed how sloppy that particular entry is - it adds the UK by implication.

I bet that's where Fatballz, Scourge of the Baby Boomers, gets his "facts".

If I can be bothered, I'll edit it, if only to link to this

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post%E2%80%93World_War_II_baby_boom

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post%E2%80%93World_War_II_baby_boom#In_the_United_Kingdom

Errata

multiple generations may be present in a single country

From the Dept of You Never Knew That Did Ya

Grannyannie9

My husband has been paid this allowance for a few years now always getting £200/250. This year I became eligible & I understand that only one of us receives the payment per household but why has the amount gone down to £100? It was paid into the bank yesterday & I had a look at Gov website for info. It appears that if there are 2 people under 80, the payment is now only £100. I don't understand the logic there & we depend on the extra to top up the gas bill. Can anyone tell me why this is?