Winter Fuel Payments......

[ZedBloke]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20887547
Means tested, yes, why should millionaires get it just because they are over the qualifying age? While we are at it stop paying it to those living abroad.

[Ann]

also on here
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1203505.html

[sunny-dave]

Why does everything have to be means tested?

Many people of modest resources have paid into 'the system' for years and years and will get little enough back when they are pensioners (because they have made some prudent provisions for themselves).

The few 'universal benefits' at least mean that they will get a few bits and bobs back.

There is also a need to keep the vast majority of 'net contributors' on board - removing every last penny that they may get back is a sure way to push them into the arms of a political party with a 'welfare slashing' extremist agenda - with all instability that might result from such policies.

[sandyRoe]

There was a discussion on local radio this morning about free bus passes. Some callers were outraged that millionaires over a certain age could get them. I can't imagine many rich people ever applying for, or using, a free pass on the buses.

[ummmm]

I'm mixed on this.

[bookbinder]

Maybe we should just wait until the exact terms of the means test are made known. As things stand, we don't know (well, I don't, anyway) if it's only the rich who will be affected or not. And how will 'the rich' be defined? My wife and I are pensioners who have been prudent, and that prudence has ensured that we are slightly on the 'rich' side of the dividing line between getting benefits and not getting them.

[pdq1]

The trouble with means testing is that many pensioners do not claim for benefits they deserve either out of ignorance or pride.

Also the level of cut off for claiming in other benefits is extremely low. Rate relief was for those couples with savings for £16,000 and hasn't changed even allowing for inflation. And why should someone who has not provided for his old age be treated differently and be able to claim.

I would think their are very few millionaires claiming bus passes etc. What they should do would be for all pensioners to claim for Winter fuel allowances just like they do for bus passes instead of handing them out on a plate.

[aelmpvw]

if i was a millionaire pensioner i would use the bentley and revoke my right to a free bus pass

[ZedBloke]

They don't even claim the WFP, they just register once and cheques are sent out. The Queen is probably entitled!

[jackthehat]

I have no problem with the 'intention' of the proposal.
If the savings made by means-testing the WFP can be off-set towards residential care costs, I think that is a sensible approach.

However, the interview I saw today with Paul Burstow suggested that the cut-off start with Pensioners who have an income in excess of £150 per week.......which is a laughably small amount.

[sandyRoe]

And why not? It must cost a right few bob to heat Sandringham over Christmas when they're all there

[johntywino]

I would imagine that anyone actually ON these benefits would continue to get the winter fuel allowance but if you wasn't on the list you would not get it Simples! If you managed to save a few bob in your lifetime...Hard luck! If you ever come back again you'll know better than to scrimp and save all your life....

[emmie]

heard on the radio news, that potentially nine million might lose their winter fuel payments, seems rather a lot doesn't it?

[aelmpvw]

if er loses her winter fuel allowance some lackey will probably get made redundant thereby costing the country even more money in job seekers allowance

[New Judge]

No, em, the numbers are about right. It is suggested that only those receiving Pension Credit should receive the WFP. At present it is paid to about 12 million people. Only 2.6m receive Pension Credit.

[emmie]

seems wrong somehow, after all if those pensioners have paid all their lives into the system, why should they be denied some benefits now.

[hc4361]

Those on pension credit also get the cold weather payments whereas pensioners not on pension credit don't.

There are plenty of pensioners just above the threshold (usually because they have a very small works pension that they've paid into for many years) so don't get council tax benefits, cold weather payments and a whole raft of other benefits but are struggling.

[emmie]

hc, i know one such person, her husband died a few years ago, she gets his pension, i don't think it is all that much, but is over the limit allowed by the government, so aged 70 odd has to pay for everything. She did work as far as i know, but i don't think she had any other private pension.

[hc4361]

There's lots of them about, em.

[emmie]

if the cut off is 150 quid, you will see a lot more pensioners freezing to death, is that what they want.......