Money Moral Dilemma: Should residents turn over their Winter Fuel Payment?

Cimscate

I don't think they should be asked, that is putting unfair pressure on elderly people in a vulnerable position. If they choose to donate the money it is up to them where they send it, if an elderly relative was living with you would you ask them for money......

Cimscate

martmdc` wrote: »

yes they should forfiet the sum. I work for a homeless charity and clients are disrespectful in so far as they wack the heating up... Even when its snowing the windows are opened to let the heat out!...I think if you are in supported housing, despite a service charge for support, it is not acceptable to abuse the facilities available and then receive a benefit for heating etc. The charity has to pay the bills and this particular benefit should go to them to help manage the accommodation and provide reasonable living conditions without it being taken for granted....I have to pay my bills as expensive and disagreeable as they are... And I have to do without heating to manage other outgoings at times. The payment is for heating etc and should not be allowed for the client to use as disposable income....So it therefore should go to the person having to pay the bill!!!

Have to say you don't sound a very sympathetic character to be working with vulnerable elderly people.

Cimscate

sacsquacco wrote: »

You can "ask " them all you like but the residents will likely have a greater need. Alcohol ! thats what has made them homeless in the first place and that is where most of their money will go and its a waste of time trying to stop them.

May you live a long and happy life and never need anyone else's help when you are old!!!

luvchocolate

Some of the sheltered housing I have considered cost about £500 per month including heating, others without this included are about £400, so the pensioner should of course keep the allowance, some of us do not get housing benefit etc and manage on £1000 per month, this is a big help.

missbiggles1

Kabloomybuzz wrote: »

The fact that they're in sheltered housing suggests that they're vulnerable adults.
The fact that they receive a winter fuel payment shows they are on a low income

The fact that their fuel costs is included in their rent is by the by... The winter fuel allowance they receive directly is a top up that can be used to help them to pay that rent and indirectly their fuel. It can help them to pay for their food which is another form of fuel when you think about it...

Once the money is in their hands it's theirs to spend on what they see fit. You can suggest that they donate some of it to a charity of their choice.... but you have no right to demand it. Within their tangy agreement their fuel is included in their rent. That is the legal contract.

Everybody of the right age gets the heating allowance as it isn't means tested, even the Queen is eligible.

Cardew

tgroom57 wrote: »

If they are on a low income (Pension Credit, JSA ) it seems from post #19 they would not receive the WFA so the question of handing it over does not arise.

have lived in a care home for the previous 12 weeks or more and get Pension Credit, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance

In quoting post#19 you appear to be confusing 'sheltered housing' with a 'care home'


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheltered_housing

tain

A few things need to be considered here.


- It's a charity, so if the residents are 'paying' for heating already, then it's already heavily subsidised.
- I'm pretty sure they're not being charged more in the winter when the heating goes up more. However this may be averaged across the year.
- There was no mention that they were paying anything at all, the accommodation could be a freebie.
- If the charity knew they'd already had their fuel costs paid for, this wouldn't really be a dilemma - it would be almost dishonestly trying to nab money from their residents.


Based on this, I think it could be 'asked' of the residents if that 'ask' could be done in the softest possible way. You could be toying with fire though, if these folks are vulnerable - asking vulnerable people for money is a dangerous path to walk down.

tain

My other thoughts are that this extra cash is called 'winter fuel' but it's actually just a Christmas bonus.


They can't have a bonus saying 'come on folk, they're old, let us just give them some cash'. It needs to have a purpose that can be justified, but then is paid out on the most flexible possible arrangement, with no means testing or additional thought process.


Are the elderly using their heating as best they could be? Do they have double glazing and loft insulation? Are they on the cheapest energy tariff available? Are we due to have the hottest Christmas Day on record? The fact that none of these are considered IMO shows that the 'fuel' badge is just a purpose for what is giving old folk a helping hand at Christmas.

tallgirld

No they shouldn't hand it over.


Who are you to decide if they "need" it or not?


I have a better suggestion. Why don't your work a whole month FREE OF CHARGE to help your charity? That should cover it!

GasMark7for35Mins

Turn their heating off until they hand it over?