Winter fuel payment suggestion

Bendo

BarelySentientAI said:

Bendo said:

matelodave said:

I still struggle with the concept that someone who works or worked, paid NI and taxes, saved some money, subscribed to a pension and bought their own house and is paying tax on his earnings or pension payments should be subsidising anyone who did none of those things.  

Whereas the person who did none of that gets a pension which is topped up to the same level as someone who actually paid NI but, unlike the person who paid his NI also gets the add ons, such as housing benefit, council tax benefit, winter fuel allowance, free glasses and dental care plus whatever else is being given away (cheap broadband etc). and will probably get care payments or care paid for as well, where the person who worked for it all will have to watch it all evaporate if the time comes.

My mates wife has dementia and needs help. He is 87 and she is 84 but because they both worked and have some savings the only help they can get is around £70 a week attendance allowance which doesn't go ever so far towards the £60 a day which they have to pay for a drop in carer twice a day.

Social Services said come back when all the money has run out and we'll reappraise the situation but until then you are on your own.

They will also lose the £300 WFA as they don't get pension credit - Doesn't really seem fair does it.

Indeed, we really should be letting the poor freeze to death, after all, its their own fault really and they are of no benefit to society really.

Jesus Christ, I really despair some of the absolute !!!!!! that gets spouted online.

You read "people who have enough savings to pay for things shouldn't get given it for free" and somehow think it says "let the poor freeze to death"?

I read "it's not fair I've paid in all my life and get nothing back whilst these that couldn't afford to get hand outs".

brewerdave

Just a brief comment re Council Tax bands and downsizing - I would ask that those suggesting it for pensioners who are "asset rich but cash poor "  think how difficult a house move is at any age let alone in late 70s or older ,particularly if they haven't got younger,fitter relatives to help !

BarelySentientAI

Bendo said:

BarelySentientAI said:

Bendo said:

matelodave said:

I still struggle with the concept that someone who works or worked, paid NI and taxes, saved some money, subscribed to a pension and bought their own house and is paying tax on his earnings or pension payments should be subsidising anyone who did none of those things.  

Whereas the person who did none of that gets a pension which is topped up to the same level as someone who actually paid NI but, unlike the person who paid his NI also gets the add ons, such as housing benefit, council tax benefit, winter fuel allowance, free glasses and dental care plus whatever else is being given away (cheap broadband etc). and will probably get care payments or care paid for as well, where the person who worked for it all will have to watch it all evaporate if the time comes.

My mates wife has dementia and needs help. He is 87 and she is 84 but because they both worked and have some savings the only help they can get is around £70 a week attendance allowance which doesn't go ever so far towards the £60 a day which they have to pay for a drop in carer twice a day.

Social Services said come back when all the money has run out and we'll reappraise the situation but until then you are on your own.

They will also lose the £300 WFA as they don't get pension credit - Doesn't really seem fair does it.

Indeed, we really should be letting the poor freeze to death, after all, its their own fault really and they are of no benefit to society really.

Jesus Christ, I really despair some of the absolute !!!!!! that gets spouted online.

You read "people who have enough savings to pay for things shouldn't get given it for free" and somehow think it says "let the poor freeze to death"?

I read "it's not fair I've paid in all my life and get nothing back whilst these that couldn't afford to get hand outs".

Which is how welfare should work.  And general taxation for that matter.

Eldi_Dos

If there is one area that is in need of reform it is Council Tax banding, many of us still suffer from drive by valuations done many years ago.The suggestion of connecting WFP to them would only be creating a gordian knot when what is needed is a simpler system easier to administrate and access by those in need.

elsien

Parent is complaining about this. 
I have felt obliged to point out that her pensions come to more than my monthly salary and the previous phrase "ooh, that's handy, it'll pay towards my new japanese garden" does not incline me towards any sympathy for its loss. 

baser999

Spoonie_Turtle said:

baser999 said:

My mothers in a care home, self funding, and yet receives fuel allowance 🤔 Doesn’t seem right, but all helps towards her fees I suppose 

The change is recent, she'll have got it in previous years but she may not get it this year if they stick with the plan to restrict it to people receiving Pension Credit.

We’ve not heard anything, no doubt we will