Winter Fuel Payment if one member opts out.

Russ4yew

If I opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment as having taxable income over £35,000 will my partner ( who receives less than £35,000 taxable income)  be eligible for a higher amount than the £100 ?

Baldytyke88

I read that the payment was per household, but it seems that the payment differs depending on your circumstances.

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get

kaMelo

As I understand it too, it is household income rather than individuals. As such there is no "opting out' available.

If you're a couple the payment is split between you and if you're over £35,000 in household income the WFP will be recovered by adjusting your tax codes.

Paulrn

kaMelo said:

As I understand it too, it is household income rather than individuals. As such there is no "opting out' available.

If you're a couple the payment is split between you and if you're over £35,000 in household income the WFP will be recovered by adjusting your tax codes.

That’s wrong one of you can opt out, as have I and the other will get the standard amount.

kaMelo

Paulrn said:

kaMelo said:

As I understand it too, it is household income rather than individuals. As such there is no "opting out' available.

If you're a couple the payment is split between you and if you're over £35,000 in household income the WFP will be recovered by adjusting your tax codes.

That’s wrong one of you can opt out, as have I and the other will get the standard amount.

Could you explain further, is this under the new rules yet to be implemented?

JGB1955

It's individual income, not household income.

Paulrn

kaMelo said:

Paulrn said:

kaMelo said:

As I understand it too, it is household income rather than individuals. As such there is no "opting out' available.

If you're a couple the payment is split between you and if you're over £35,000 in household income the WFP will be recovered by adjusting your tax codes.

That’s wrong one of you can opt out, as have I and the other will get the standard amount.

Could you explain further, is this under the new rules yet to be implemented?

The new rules are in and you can opt out by going to .gov or phoning. I opted out a while ago

kaMelo

I stand corrected.

In essence a pensioner household could have an annual income approaching £70,000 and still qualify. I'm not sure that would fit most people's definition of "the poorest pensoners."

sheramber

kaMelo said:

I stand corrected.

In essence a pensioner household could have an annual income approaching £70,000 and still qualify. I'm not sure that would fit most people's definition of "the poorest pensoners."

But there was an outcry when it was restricted to the poorest pensioners. It was only paid to those in receipt of pension credit and other means tested benefits. 

Baldytyke88

sheramber said:

But there was an outcry when it was restricted to the poorest pensioners. It was only paid to those in receipt of pension credit and other means tested benefits. 

Originally it was restricted to those on the state pension only, which is not always the poorest because they would most likely also get pension credit.

Dazed_and_C0nfused

Russ4yew said:

If I opt out of the Winter Fuel Payment as having taxable income over £35,000 will my partner ( who receives less than £35,000 taxable income)  be eligible for a higher amount than the £100 ?

As I understand it not unless they're either living in Scotland (and then it's not strictly the "Winter Fuel Payment") or over 80.