winter fuel payment

racon

zygurat789 wrote: »

Just keep reading the highlighted bit until the penny drops.

My money is my money until I spend it, not until someone takes it from me, and I will keep it myself.
Although we may pay the same amount to the utility I always have more in my pocket because I start my payments in October.

Hey, the only way that you can keep your money in your pocket for longer is if you pay on a quarterly basis settling the invoice within 14 days of issue. Most people average out their fuel bill by way of 12 equal monthly direct debit instalments.

racon

luvchocolate wrote: »

Winter fuel all sits in my bank as an emergency fund.

Hey, why? An emergency fund for your fuel account? Surely as you, like I and many others, pay an equal amount each month to cover the annual cost. What then is the point of your 'emergency fund'. Do you have a coal/wood fire for the winter and could therefore have exceptional extra fuel costs if the winter is extremely cold?
This has got me thinking. Having just gas central heating/cooking & electric lighting/power and paying for the fuel in 12 equal payments throughout the year, what really is the point in getting this £200 every year? It plays havoc with my fuel account and I don't have to buy extra fuel (coal/wood) as I don't have a fireplace or a fire. Surely it would be better for the government to only give it to those that can establish that they have the physical need for it.

cbrown372

racon wrote: »

Hey, why? An emergency fund for your fuel account? Surely as you, like I and many others, pay an equal amount each month to cover the annual cost. What then is the point of your 'emergency fund'. Do you have a coal/wood fire for the winter and could therefore have exceptional extra fuel costs if the winter is extremely cold?
This has got me thinking. Having just gas central heating/cooking & electric lighting/power and paying for the fuel in 12 equal payments throughout the year, what really is the point in getting this £200 every year? It plays havoc with my fuel account and I don't have to buy extra fuel (coal/wood) as I don't have a fireplace or a fire. Surely it would be better for the government to only give it to those that can establish that they have the physical need for it.

Hey Andy. You can always put it towards a new Mulberry bag for Flo?

luvchocolate

Yes I pay the same amount each month and for the last year I have had an amount to refund in April.
My point to keep the £200 in my bank in case of emergency is for my piece of mind I live alone with a very low income.

pollypenny

Racon, all you do is make a mental allowance for the £200!

Simples

racon

cbrown372 wrote: »

Hey Andy. You can always put it towards a new Mulberry bag for Flo?

Hey, sorry?????????

margaretclare

Since when has it been common practice to preface every statement with 'Hey'?

Most people are aware of our opinions on this WFP. We've just realised that next December DH will get a bit more than he does now. Reason: he had his 80th birthday yesterday. I follow him the year after.

racon

luvchocolate wrote: »

Yes I pay the same amount each month and for the last year I have had an amount to refund in April.
My point to keep the £200 in my bank in case of emergency is for my piece of mind I live alone with a very low income.

Hey, but I thought that the WFA is what it says it is? Winter Fuel Allowance. Surely you shouldn't be allowed to save it to spend on other things? If so then it makes a mockery of the whole thing.
Never mind, it seems that I am trying to follow the letter of the law too much as I do with the receipt of my other benefits. I don't suppose you will ever be asked to prove that you have used it to pay for your fuel costs.

racon

margaretclare wrote: »

Since when has it been common practice to preface every statement with 'Hey'?

Most people are aware of our opinions on this WFP. We've just realised that next December DH will get a bit more than he does now. Reason: he had his 80th birthday yesterday. I follow him the year after.

Hey, because that is how I refer to people OK? It just surprises me that some people seem to take it as being for anything other than what it is paid for. But, hey, that seems to be the benefit culture of today.

margaretclare

racon wrote: »

Hey, because that is how I refer to people OK? It just surprises me that some people seem to take it as being for anything other than what it is paid for. But, hey, that seems to be the benefit culture of today.

We are unable to avoid receipt of this 'benefit', which we regarded from its inception as a cynical vote-catcher.

Apparently the only thing we can do with it is to give it away to those whose need seems to be greater than ours.