Winter Fuel Allowance

Farway

Silvertabby said:

I don't understand why WFA is paid so early - the worst of the winter fuel bills don't land until February.  Or is it paid on the assumption that all pensioners are on pre-paid energy meters?

I think it's to give reassurance the money is in the bank to pay for winter fuel & not to sit in the cold

missile

Received notification for both Winter Fuel Allowance and Warm Home Discount :-)

molerat

I have heard it referred to as Christmas Drinks Allowance, that is why it is paid early

badmemory

Just waiting for the turkey allowance which may pay for half of one.  The names are irrelevant, they are just sums to compensate state pensioners for times they were totally shafted.  That is why we have one of the worst state pensions in the EU & why our government wants us out of the EU.  I very much doubt that any of the triple lock will survive a 2021 budget.  It was only ever done because of sneering by other members of the EU.

missile

badmemory said:

 That is why we have one of the worst state pensions in the EU & why our government wants us out of the EU. 

If you exclude those of us who have contributed to voluntary schemes, we have the worst state pension of all.

• The UK devotes a smaller percentage of its GDP to state pensions and pensioner benefits than most other advanced economies. Income from occupational and personal pensions is a relatively important source of pensioner income in the UK, in contrast to many other countries where state provision (financed either through social insurance contributions or general taxation) is dominant
• source Pensions: international comparisons - House of Commons Library (parliament.uk)

badmemory

Silvertabby said:

I don't understand why WFA is paid so early - the worst of the winter fuel bills don't land until February.  Or is it paid on the assumption that all pensioners are on pre-paid energy meters?

I think that a lot of those who actually NEED the WFA are on pre-paid meters & renting.  But if they don't give it to all then the very people who need it will be too proud to claim.  There are a lot of state pensioners that will not claim pension credit for example.  I can't remember the figure but it was quoted when the TV license fee was to be waived for claimants of pension credit.  I was surprised at how large it was.