Attendance allowance scrapped?

mazza111

I dunno where I stand on means testing them in all honesty.

Your average pensioner, I have no problem with them getting whatever is given. Even the slightly better off ones I don't mind.

When it comes to TV stars who really don't need it getting it. I do kinda object.

But back to OP, the person would be better staying on DLA as long as possible. So totally agree with you Lin on your 2nd to last post

tinkledom

Morglin wrote: »

Why should all of the 'extras' be means tested?

Most of today's pensioners worked a lot of years (as there was full employment through most of those years), and have surely paid in enough to get a few extras.


There is no 'pot'. There is however a state pension that current tax & NIC payers pay into that pays out these state pensions. There is also a scale in that depending on the number of years of contributions made and/or credits given, todays pensioners receive a pro rata state pension. I have no problems with that. However that doesn't mean to say that that same calculation and the fact that they are simply 'of the right age' they should be entitled to anything extra. Those extras should only come if the claimant is 'in need' financially. That is assessed by only giving these 'extras' to those on a means tested benefit.

If they restrict bus passes, then loneliness, with all it's potential health issues, will cost the NHS more anyway.



You could simply use that argument to include the sick and disabled who are under 65 as well.
It doesn't wash to just give it to those over the age of 62 (currently) who may well be multi millionaires!

Ditto the fuel allowance - hypothermia is a serious problem, with the elderly.



Same as above

Unclaimed benefits go across the board - there should be better advertising of all benefits.

Lin

They may well do, but more is unclaimed by those who are currently over 62.
The idea of better advertising of all benefits was tried in many ways for the 'pensioners'. Pension Credit it particular. The government tried everything, newspapers, radio, television - they even started to pay PC to the millions that they knew who were entitled but hadn't claimed for 6 months. They hoped that by receiving this extra money they would put in a formal claim after the 6 months were up. 97% failed to make the claim.
They then asked AGEUK to help by offering them this extra money every time someone called into their offices - no luck with that!
So the government have gone quiet and just move the money every year back into the general pot for other purposes - maybe the building of HS2 is one of the happy recipients?

lisyloo

When it comes to TV stars who really don't need it getting it.

Do you think Alan Sugar claims his bus pass?
I doubt a lot of them take the bus to be honest.

mazza111

lisyloo wrote: »

Do you think Alan Sugar claims his bus pass?
I doubt a lot of them take the bus to be honest.

No but there are ones automatically given like the heating allowance that don't need to be claimed, although I could be wrong. I remember one of the older TV stars a few years ago saying they gave there's to charity