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pensioners heating allowance

By *iamondsmiles. OP Woman over a year ago

little house on the praire

now i never get involved in politics but everyone over 60 gets £250 towards there bills. now they want those that dont need it to donate it to others. now im the first to help the needy but this seems a form of blackmail through guilt to give away something they are entitled to. why dont they change it to means tested or up the age to 65 instead. what do you think?

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By *aceytopWoman over a year ago

from a town near you

i work with the elderly and i can assure you its a very small percentage

indeed who dont need it,but some of them would give it back because they feel guilty having it.

Sometimes i go into a house thats freezing in winter and they darentput the heating on in case they cant afford the bills,its scandalouse the way we treat our elderly people in Britain we should be ashamed....sorry rant over take no notice

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

It was part of the last governments bribe to old people.

It helps them, without affecting the actual pension bill to the state, GB was a master and making figures appear in other places...

I always though it should be a voucher payable to the power companies, thus ensuring that it is used for heating by the recipients.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

think its aimed more at the rich & famous.... it started last year when Len Goodman (strictly come dancing judge) was going on about it, he was saying why do they insist on sending me this ?? ... i dont need it etc, think cliff richard jumped on it too saying the same thing.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I am sure my parents would have been one of the sorts to think about giving it away, vut Dad's been poorly the last few months so they need every penny towards their heating they can get.

Most elderly people would not apply for a means tested benefit which is why Gordon (being a truly caring sort of politician) didn't means test it (or pensions credit either....

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By *obletonMan over a year ago

A Home Among The Woodland Creatures

I always though it should be a voucher payable to the power companies, thus ensuring that it is used for heating by the recipients."

Yeah because we just can't trust those pesky sponging pensioners not to blow it all on bingo and porcelain figurines.

Vouchers? Let them have a little fucking dignity please!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"now i never get involved in politics but everyone over 60 gets £250 towards there bills. now they want those that dont need it to donate it to others. now im the first to help the needy but this seems a form of blackmail through guilt to give away something they are entitled to. why dont they change it to means tested or up the age to 65 instead. what do you think?"

Lots of ways of looking at it. If you are well off you give it charity but one you choose.

The other is why haven't people retiring provided with savings for their old age themselves? I am sure some will have smoked and d*unk all they earned.

If the government are that bothered them means test it and be done with it.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"i work with the elderly and i can assure you its a very small percentage

indeed who dont need it,but some of them would give it back because they feel guilty having it.

you rant away, I'm glad someone does

I heard of an old lady who couldn't afford to heat her house who was discovered stone cold dead covered in newspapers some years back. She'd tried to keep warm as best she could by putting these newspapers around her, and succumbed to hypothermia. She was living just in one room of a terraced house.. eating out of tins. The rest of the house were full of damp and ice was built up on the inside of the windows.

Would I want my own mother to struggle to keep herself warm like that - hell no!

The pensioners deserve every penny they get, and for each one they get, they should get two!

Wolf

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I always though it should be a voucher payable to the power companies, thus ensuring that it is used for heating by the recipients.

Yeah because we just can't trust those pesky sponging pensioners not to blow it all on bingo and porcelain figurines.

Vouchers? Let them have a little fucking dignity please!"

Agreed.

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By *iamondsmiles. OP Woman over a year ago

little house on the praire

Lots of ways of looking at it. If you are well off you give it charity but one you choose.

The other is why haven't people retiring provided with savings for their old age themselves? I am sure some will have smoked and d*unk all they earned.

If the government are that bothered them means test it and be done with it.

"
but should someone be told to give there money to charity? the reason i started this thread was because some celebs where urging the people who didnt need it to give it away. why should someone be told what to do with money they are entitled to. as for saving for old age i think there are many reasons people havent

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I always though it should be a voucher payable to the power companies, thus ensuring that it is used for heating by the recipients.

Yeah because we just can't trust those pesky sponging pensioners not to blow it all on bingo and porcelain figurines.

Vouchers? Let them have a little fucking dignity please!"

Nope, then they have to use them for heating and nothing elses.

I know people like the Child credit is used on things other than it was intended by many...

After all money is just a voucher in it's self, of course you can disagree.

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By *amnlisaCouple over a year ago

letterkenny

The kind government is helping pensioners more this year. They are reducing the Fuel Allowance by £50 to £200. They are so kind. Not

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

They havent actually reduced it, they've just returned it to the amount it was the year before last.

Last year they were given an additional £50 as one off payment over and above the normal rate

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By *aceytopWoman over a year ago

from a town near you

most elderly people wouldnt apply if it was means tested,a lot still remember from their parents the indignity of poorhouses,and most of my elderly people have gone through a war some two,why the hell should they have a miserable old age,wasnt that one of the things they were fighting for. a better Britain for all(phew rant number two)

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By *alcon43Woman over a year ago

Paisley

Maybe as the age of retiring increases so will the age of receiving this heating allowance. You could in theory be working and still receive it just now.

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By *iamondsmiles. OP Woman over a year ago

little house on the praire

"most elderly people wouldnt apply if it was means tested,a lot still remember from their parents the indignity of poorhouses,and most of my elderly people have gone through a war some two,why the hell should they have a miserable old age,wasnt that one of the things they were fighting for. a better Britain for all(phew rant number two)"

I agree, thats why i asked for other peoples thoughts. What about if it was changed to 65 unless already in receipt of benefits. My mother and stepfather both still work at 67 and 69 and are entitled to the benefit.

Or what about just giving it to people on certain benefits regardless of age. ie those who are in receipt of higher level dla and those classed as vulnerable people. Im sure there are plenty under 60 that NEED to keep there homes well heated because of certain illnesses or having a sick child ect

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By *ENDAROOSCouple over a year ago

South West London / Surrey

Lots of ways of looking at it. If you are well off you give it charity but one you choose.

The other is why haven't people retiring provided with savings for their old age themselves? I am sure some will have smoked and d*unk all they earned.

If the government are that bothered them means test it and be done with it.

Think if it was means tested then alot probably wouldn't apply for it.

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By *inkershoes69Woman over a year ago

maidstone

i do think it should be means tested my ex boyfriend gets it as well as a pension and a salary of over 40k, lives in a 5 bed house but sees this allowance as his pocket money! should go to genuine needy oaps x

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Lots of ways of looking at it. If you are well off you give it charity but one you choose.

The other is why haven't people retiring provided with savings for their old age themselves? I am sure some will have smoked and d*unk all they earned.

If the government are that bothered them means test it and be done with it.

like what you did there. clever.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

I think they were fighting against the fascists and nazis. It was after the war that a separate fight began for decent housing and jobs. My parents squatted in the army housing for years before they got housed. They had nothing at that time, my Dad being a young apprentice. My older bro and sis had to live with grandparents as conditions on the camp were so bad.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Lots of ways of looking at it. If you are well off you give it charity but one you choose.

The other is why haven't people retiring provided with savings for their old age themselves? I am sure some will have smoked and d*unk all they earned.

If the government are that bothered them means test it and be done with it.

Think if it was means tested then alot probably wouldn't apply for it.

They could surely relate it to tax thresholds somehow? That way the people who needed it most would get it?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

One of the problem caused by Thatcher and the short termers, is to get people off the unemployment register by encouraging early retirement.

My dad was one of those and he's still alive over 20 years later on 3/4 final salary, 4 holidays a year and a heating allowance.

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By *ex.IncCouple over a year ago

Castleford

They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here."

They should stop all this tax exile nonsense full stop, you earn it here, you pay tax on it here.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here."

+1 +1 +1 well said

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here.

They should stop all this tax exile nonsense full stop, you earn it here, you pay tax on it here."

So more reason to relate it to tax thresholds then.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

slightly off topic but its like every main carer of a child regardless of income receives £20.30 each week for their eldest child up until 16 or 19 if in higher education.. and a slightly lower amount each week for every other child

total that up for well off families

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By *isscheekychopsWoman over a year ago

The land of grey peas and bacon

My mum and dad get 1 each.. so £400 and they do deserve it... they have worked since the age of 15 and not scrounged off the goverenment for anything...

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here.

They should stop all this tax exile nonsense full stop, you earn it here, you pay tax on it here.

So more reason to relate it to tax thresholds then."

In a nutshell yes.

Mind you if they closed all the loop holes, they could cut everyone's tax.

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By *ushroom7Man over a year ago

Bradford

"slightly off topic but its like every main carer of a child regardless of income receives £20.30 each week for their eldest child up until 16 or 19 if in higher education.. and a slightly lower amount each week for every other child

total that up for well off families

and the workshy

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

total that up for well off families

and the workshy"

As a production manager, I'd rather they did stay at home. I remember all the kids on the Youth Teamaking Scheme, they drove me clean up the wall.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here.

They should stop all this tax exile nonsense full stop, you earn it here, you pay tax on it here.

So more reason to relate it to tax thresholds then.

In a nutshell yes.

Mind you if they closed all the loop holes, they could cut everyone's tax."

Unlikely, since "they" are the ones looping!

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

There was a discussion about this on 5 Live the other week and someone rang in - a wealthy person over 60 - and said he'd tried to give it back and was told there was no facility to give it back. If the govt are now saying welathy individuals can 'donate' their WFA, I'm sure it doesn't mean the individual can choose who to donate it to.

Personally, I think it is outragious that those in the twilight of their lives who have worked hard, whether that's through employment or raising a family, cannot afford to put their heating on as and when they need it. The Winter Fuel Allowance should be more straight forward - yes, you are allowed to use your heating system as and when you need it - with NO bills to pay at all, and it should be for ALL over 65s. How that is funded is down to the govt to determine but it should be at the top of any policies future govts make. The benefit of doing it is far reaching as it frees up money pensioners could spend elsewhere, giving the economy in general a much needed boost.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"They should stop the pensioners living abroad getting it. If they arent in the UK then they should sod off and give it to those who really need it here.

They should stop all this tax exile nonsense full stop, you earn it here, you pay tax on it here.

So more reason to relate it to tax thresholds then.

In a nutshell yes.

Mind you if they closed all the loop holes, they could cut everyone's tax.

Unlikely, since "they" are the ones looping!"

That's another problem, politicians don't want to close these loop holes as they're on the payroll of these off shore sharks and of course exploit them at a later date.

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By *iamondsmiles. OP Woman over a year ago

little house on the praire

total that up for well off families

Thought that had been changed a couple of years ago with a cut off point of 45K or didnt it ever come in?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

"There was a discussion about this on 5 Live the other week and someone rang in - a wealthy person over 60 - and said he'd tried to give it back and was told there was no facility to give it back. If the govt are now saying welathy individuals can 'donate' their WFA, I'm sure it doesn't mean the individual can choose who to donate it to.

Could be a big bill if you live in a mansion?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

imo it should be means tested, my parents have recieved it twice now and both times donated it to a certain soldiers charity, my parents are by no means rich but live comfortably, this yr their not giving it to charity, my mum is walking the neighbourhood and finding a house with the signs of no heating being on, doesnt matter if its a single mum, a 2 parent family or another oap, then a quick phone call and crediting their account with the money... i understand why some of the older generation would want to give it away but my god, its not just the elderly that need help now!!!

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By *obletonMan over a year ago

A Home Among The Woodland Creatures

I know people like the Child credit is used on things other than it was intended by many...

After all money is just a voucher in it's self, of course you can disagree."

I can guess what your mum spent your child allowance on - it's that high horse that you sit on in judgement over us lesser mortals isn't it?

Did she have to run that purchase by you first to make sure it met with your approval?

And don't try to kid us that you know what people spend theirs on - as if you are party to other people's household accounts and know where every penny goes - pull the other one.

More likely you read it in the Daily Mail of some other equivalent paragon of journalistic virtue, some bloke down the pub told you, or you flat out just made it up.

And besides - who are you to be the judge of what other people spend THIER money on? because don't forget it is THEIR money - tax credits come from what they earn - child allowance comes from the tax they pay.

Fortunately some of us genuinely believe in things like freedom of choice - even if that means occasionally some people will excercise those choices in ways that we might personally not like (something Tories always struggled with when they bandied the phrase around)- that's where something called tolerance comes in - it doesn't mean you have to like it, but it is the price you pay for having that choice in the first place - sorry!

The altenative - YOUR alternative - is to remove peoples choices when you sit in judgement and decide that you personally don't like them.

You tell me - which is the better path if we want to continue to live in a free country?

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

Could be a big bill if you live in a mansion? "

90% of the populace don't live in mansions though. It's all too easy to take an argument to the extremes but the reality is that it isn't impossible to give over 65s - ALL over 65s - free heating from Oct-Feb. Tell the IMF to sod off the next time Europe needs bailing out and that would pay for it for ten years.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

If you see Sid tell him.

Wishy isn't it the 20th anniversary of the privatisation of British Gas by your old chums the nasty party?

What will they say about pensioners having the heating on all day and night?

I agree entirely with your sentiment but I can't see it happening unfortunately.

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By *obletonMan over a year ago

A Home Among The Woodland Creatures

It's a nice thought, but the problem is that the laws of economics state that when a resource becomes too cheap or free, people tend to use it wastefully, so it's likely that it will become very expensive very quickly.

Plus you have all of the administrational burdens of implementing a scheme like that which will cost money in itself.

Thats why a simple one off, all encompassing, lump sum payment is such a genius idea - no-one misses out, they're free to spend it on whatever the hell they want (they earned it so why not), and all of the infrastructure is already in place to administer and issue the payment.

The only change I would suggest is that the payment is directly linked to the real cost of fuel bills over the winter for the average household.

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By (user no longer on site) over a year ago

If you do know people, all ages who are struggling with their energy bills, free information and advice is available through

www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Hope mods will allow, as it benefits others.

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By *etillanteWoman over a year ago

My Mum died in Nov 2001 and a short time after I received her winter Fuel allow, so returned it with a covering letter saying that she had passed away.

It was sent back, as she was alive on a particular date she was entitled to it.

Seemed a bit daft to me

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