winter fuel allowance

margaretclare

I'm not sure it's anything to do with age as such, Pollycat. It's what I term 'pub talk' - as you say, a half-heard few minutes of a conversation or a misread and inaccurate article encouraging people to 'go off on one' and get all worked up about something that may not happen.

A good example is the present hysteria about 'bedroom tax'. I found out about this and discovered that it is NOT a 'tax' in the sense that most of us understand taxation.

We get this misinformation on here over time - the number of times someone states categorically that 'the government take your house off you'. What would they do with it even if they did?

When pension credit was first invented a few years ago, you wouldn't believe the number of people who were convinced that DH and I should claim it. They wouldn't believe that we'd already done our sums - more than once - and knew we wouldn't qualify. They just *thought* that we would. Inaccurate and ill-informed.

seven-day-weekend

Yes MC, we too have had the same thing and people look amazed when I say we don't qualify for PC and have to pay all our Council Tax.

I remember talking to someone once, he said the Government 'took everything off you' and that his dad 'even had to pay tax on his pension'. When I pointed out that his dad must have an income above his personal allowance to pay tax, he looked shocked, he must have thought his dad was poverty-stricken.

It is surprising what people think is true when they have got their wires totally crossed.

The 'bedroom tax' is a total misnomer and is a phrase invented by the press.

mumps

Ainsley1 wrote: »

For the last time it's not to do with pension age, be it private, employee or state eligible ages! It just so happens that one becomes eligible at 60 (and the date criterium listed above, so may be 60 but not get it till next year). 60 could well have been chosen originally as at that age most women will have 'retired', not be in work for other reasons or have lost their husbands or they themselves retired. At about 60 there is often evident an increasing need for heat and more so in later life so it makes sense to increase with age and probable deteriorating health.
- what always defeats me are the step changes in eligibility and amount paid and the consideration of need (or lack of it).

I do not get a state pension but do get the Winter allowance, thank goodness. Suggesting state retirement age will only lead to confusion! Please note luvchocolate and others!

Like that contribution Polly! Probably the cause of confusion you relate is us all just getting on a bit and if your lucky you'll reach a ripe old age too! However I suggest don't read the Daily Mail

You are automatically entitled to it if you are SRP age, but other benefits also give entitlement, the age you are automatically entitled to it is increasing in line with SRP age. I think it is confusing as lots of things on the internet are still referring to 60 as they were posted over a year ago.

luvchocolate

I did not know other benefits brought the winter fuel allowance before state pension age and I am sorry if I mislead anyone, but for us that work full time and the age keeps moving I will reach this at 62 and 3 months.
my information came from the pension web site I will now but out and leave those that know better to advise

mumps

luvchocolate wrote: »

I did not know other benefits brought the winter fuel allowance before state pension age and I am sorry if I mislead anyone, but for us that work full time and the age keeps moving I will reach this at 62 and 3 months.
my information came from the pension web site I will now but out and leave those that know better to advise

Don't worry about it, you were partially correct as it is triggered by SR age.

FOREVER21

penrhyn wrote: »

As above, both men and women are eligible when your reach the female retirement age, IIRC I was sent a letter asking me to apply when I reached 60.
Comes in very handy for Xmas presents and the like as it normally arrives before Christmas.

Am I missing something here, WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE as the name suggests is not for Xmas presents, if you don't need it to heat the house send it to someone who desperately does and does not qualify for it.:eek:

Newly_retired

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/eligibility
You are likely to be eligible if you have reached state pension age for women, which is changing all the time.
https://www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension
Younger people on certain other benefits may also be entitled to winter fuel payments, not to be confused with Cold Weather payments, triggered by ( you've guessed it) exceptionally cold weather.

margaretclare

FOREVER21 wrote: »

Am I missing something here, WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE as the name suggests is not for Xmas presents, if you don't need it to heat the house send it to someone who desperately does and does not qualify for it.

Well, some of us would agree with you and some would not. This type of discussion surfaces towards the end of each year. Mine goes in the way you suggest.

Newly_retired

Mine too, but it would be a backwards step to means-test this money as too many people who really need it would not claim it.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

if you want to claim for this winter, get in quick, deadline end of March.

Claim for past winters

If you are eligible, you can claim Winter Fuel Payments for the years 1997/1998 to 1999/2000 using the form at the link below.
From 2000/2001 time limits for claims were introduced. This means that payments can't be made for late claims for any winters from 2000/2001 onwards.
Claims for these winters had to be received by 31 March for the relevant winter. For example, a claim for winter 2012/2013 has to be received by 31 March 2013.