Winter Fuel Payments - Care Home

mufi

My mother is entirely self-funding in a residential home. When she first moved, I advised the powers-that-be and was told that, because she is self-funding and living alone in a single room, she still qualifies for the single person's winter fuel payment of £300.


£150 winter fuel allowance has now been paid into her bank. I queried this and was told that the reduced amount of £150 is "because she is living in a care home and only therefore entitled to a shared payment".


Before I write to them yet again (the phone has proved far too trying), does anyone happen to know if this is correct? Having been told so many different things by the DWP, I no longer have any faith...

Torry_Quine

That is correct.

richard9991

mufi wrote: »

My mother is entirely self-funding in a residential home. When she first moved, I advised the powers-that-be and was told that, because she is self-funding and living alone in a single room, she still qualifies for the single person's winter fuel payment of £300.


£150 winter fuel allowance has now been paid into her bank. I queried this and was told that the reduced amount of £150 is "because she is living in a care home and only therefore entitled to a shared payment".


Before I write to them yet again (the phone has proved far too trying), does anyone happen to know if this is correct? Having been told so many different things by the DWP, I no longer have any faith...

If both of the following apply:

• you live in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home (and have done so for 12 weeks or more before the qualifying week)
• you don't get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance

£100 £150

richard9991

richard9991 wrote: »

If both of the following apply:

• you live in a care home, an independent hospital or Ilford Park Polish Resettlement Home (and have done so for 12 weeks or more before the qualifying week)
• you don't get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or income related Employment and Support Allowance

£100 £150

http://www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity/guides/winter-fuel-payment/

McKneff

My half of the WFA was only 100 where is this 150 coming from please.

doodle-bug_2

I know that this is a benefit that people in care homes are entitled to, indeed my father also receives it (50% of 'normal' amount) but why? They do not pay the bills - I just don't get it. Surely this money can be saved by the government to go towards other things, as there is a finite amount of money around in the large pot and this seems like a good saving?

Don't want to be awkward or contrary, but I really don't get it. Can someone explain (simply!) why this would be?

bloolagoon

doodle-bug wrote: »

I know that this is a benefit that people in care homes are entitled to, indeed my father also receives it (50% of 'normal' amount) but why? They do not pay the bills - I just don't get it. Surely this money can be saved by the government to go towards other things, as there is a finite amount of money around in the large pot and this seems like a good saving?

Don't want to be awkward or contrary, but I really don't get it. Can someone explain (simply!) why this would be?

If they are self funding then they are paying their heating bill.

doodle-bug_2

What if they are not self-funding? Surely it must be easy to trace the ones that are not and cancel payments?

It just seems to be money for nothing.

Torry_Quine

McKneff wrote: »

My half of the WFA was only 100 where is this 150 coming from please.

It's £150 (or £300) if aged over 80.

Torry_Quine

doodle-bug wrote: »

What if they are not self-funding? Surely it must be easy to trace the ones that are not and cancel payments?

It just seems to be money for nothing.

If they aren't self funding then they don't get it.

dzug1

doodle-bug wrote: »

What if they are not self-funding? Surely it must be easy to trace the ones that are not and cancel payments?

It just seems to be money for nothing.

If they are not self funding they do not receive the payment. As the government (using the term loosely) is already paying (part of) their fees (that include heating) it does not wish to increase that payment by adding the WFP to it.