Fuel Poverty Means tested winter fuel payment?

GlynD

Cherryscone wrote: »

No one is fighting about anything its a healthy debate ..I agree that the government is wanting us all to get used to a lower standard of living and I for one have cut back on everything
While most deserve the fuel winter payment and need it no doubt there will be lots who don't need it
Every one in this country should be treated with respect but it just isn't going to happen ..believe me if I could return to work and not need to claim any benefits I would maybe then I might be able to keep my house warm when it comes to the point eat or heat it gets scary.

CS take a wee look at this website. http://www.nihe.gov.uk/index/benefits/grant_assistance.htm

From there you might get an idea of what you're entitled to. We were in the same position as you a couple of years ago and needed help. I'd say the best thing they did for us was to increase the level of insulation we had in the loft. The house is much warmer now and we're spending a lot less on fuel.

We've learned a couple of things too. We now pay our oil fuel bill on a monthly direct debit. I've also joined the Oil Club which although I haven't used it yet would reduce our bill by about £200 a year I'm led to believe. We just like our current supplier and the way he lets us save with him.

If there's anything else I can do for you just post a question or two and I'll give you the best answers I can. I was forced to retire young for medical reasons and it took over two years before my pensions were all sorted out. During that time we lived like paupers on £650 a month. We never went short.

One other thing. Are you connected to any other sources of payment such as the armed forces, the police, fire service or perhaps a large factory which may have some sort of funding for those in need? If you don't want to say so in public PM me.

falko89

I'm sure there are plenty of other folk in the same situation as myself, I work full-time min wage and can only afford those emergency jars of heating oil which work out far more expensive but have no other option.

seven-day-weekend

As regards expats in Spain and other places abroad getting the WFA, I have several comments to make.

1. Spain is very cold in the winter away from the coast and/or up in the mountains.

2. Up until recently, many expats did not qualify, because you had to have been receiving it before you went abroad. The EU said this was against the rules and said all must qualify if they are the right age. Our Government are now saying you will not qualify if you live in a place warmer than southern England. So some expats will get it and some won't.

3. I don't agree with it being means-tested because that does not mean only the pensioners with less disposable income will get it.

I am a Pensioner and do not consider myself to be in fuel poverty, although I agree it must be difficult for single people.

Cherryscone

falko89 wrote: »

I'm sure there are plenty of other folk in the same situation as myself, I work full-time min wage and can only afford those emergency jars of heating oil which work out far more expensive but have no other option.

I Don't think I have at any time put in more than 100 litres :(in the past 2-3 years

GlynD

Cherryscone wrote: »

I Don't think I have at any time put in more than 100 litres :(in the past 2-3 years

Do you think you might benefit from paying by monthly direct debit and building up a reserve in the summer? Let's face it: you know you have to spend this money so why not do it this way? The alternative being to start a little internet savings account and pay some money into it every month for your oil fund. As long as you can trust yourself not to dip into it. Doing it this way you could join the oil club and get about 20% more oil for your money.

Over time this all builds up.

What about the connections I referred to you yesterday - have you any links? Many of these organisations will give you a free fill of oil.

Where are you doing your shopping btw - have you investigated Lidl yet? Big savings to be had there.

Cherryscone

I clicked the warm homes link I already have that done what other connections do you mean? going to start setting it up by direct debit when I get Christmas past.
Regarding Lidl I do think their prices have went up a lot .

highrisklowreturn

Work harder at school, get a higher grossing job, pay your bills, don't blame other indirectly via castigating the sensible, but obviously moderate, policies of our government. ALL benefits should be abolished.

Old_Git

highrisklowreturn wrote: »

Work harder at school, get a higher grossing job, pay your bills, don't blame other indirectly via castigating the sensible, but obviously moderate, policies of our government. ALL benefits should be abolished.

and if everyone got a degree you would still need people in low paid jobs ,except then they would be highly educated and still poorly paid.

saverbuyer

If you’re in Belfast, instead of going out and buying one of those emergency drums, go to one of the Go service stations. They sell home heating oil (kerosene) at the pumps. It’s about 60p a litre, much cheaper than those emergency drums.

saverbuyer

emmett123 wrote: »

further, those pensioners who you are targeting, that can afford fuel, have paid in their tax and national insurance all their lives. They have played their part in the Social Contract, and it is only but right that government can give them a once a year payment for fuel. That principal is the same for all elderly people.

Unfortunately all that money pensioners “put in” was more than spent at the time. That’s why we have the biggest national debt in Europe. I think it’s unfair to ask today’s generation to pay for the winter fuel allowance, free bus passes, television licenses etc. for pensioners today when they spent all the money at the time.
It’s not fair to ask someone now to pay for things for others, they will never receive themselves. Why should I bend over backwards paying student loans and high taxes to fund universal benefits when I have trouble heating my own house?
You can still treat people with care and respect without a universal benefit system. There are plenty of pensioners on final salary pensions (paid for again by the younger generation because the current pensioners didn’t pay enough in) who can more than afford to go without winter fuel allowance.