fuel payments

[berniecuddles]

Does this seem right!
British expats are now receiving over £16 million a year in winter fuel payments, even though many of them live in countries where they never have to put the heating on.

New figures released by Steve Webb, the pensions minister, in response to a parliamentary question show that 65,000 pensioners living abroad received the payment last year, more than double the number who received it five years ago.

[I.Don No]

now that would be one cut I would be in favour of, and any other payments ex-pats get.

[squarebear]

Jeez, no wonder we are skint.

[chrissa1]

Hey, I turned 60 today!!! Can I get winter fuel payments now????

[I.Don No]

you have to apply for the first payment, then they automatically come annually.....until DC cuts them, that is

[I.Don No]

ooops forgot.........hoppy burpday Chrissa

[Daily-Editor]

To have reached the qualifying age for a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 you will need to be born on or before 5 July 1950.

[boxtops]

Happy birthday Chrissa1 - no, sorry, the qualifying date is September in the year you turn 60. I had the same problem, my birthday's in December. Apply on-line and you should get it next year!

[chrissa1]

B*mmer!! Just my luck. Thanks for the bday wishes folks.

[Sqad]

bernie....what is the problem.

I paid the high rate of tax for nigh on 40yrs for our NHS, which I never used, Education for which my kids never used and layabouts who grabbed it gleefully.

So you begrudge me fuel allowance for living abroad?

Same response to other whingers.

[woofgang]

yup sqad was going to say the same. expats have paid their taxes, same as DH and me.

[boxtops]

Fair argument sqad, we don't all take out what we put in - I pay my taxes into the education system for children I haven't got. About all I get from my council tax is my bins emptied every week, but I'm not complaining, I get my fuel payment.

[R1Geezer]

This is one of the ludicrous benefits that should be restructured, just give them a discount on the fuel bills up to a max of whatever. They should not be giving blanket cash handouts, bl00dy stupid idea from the start. The governement can liase with the energy companies and sort this directly much more efficiently, probably save millions in admin too. I know plenty pensioners that don't even have a fuel bill they still get the dosh to spend as they please, madness.

[woofgang]

well yeah but who would staff tescos if the kids weren't all eddicated

[jedimistress]

I think the entitlement should remain, but that people should have the opportunity to apply like you do for Child Benefit. Then people who really feel they do not want the money do not take it. My uncle tried to send the money back but there was no way for him to do this.

[R1Geezer]

well if there are any pensioners who want to refuse the dosh they can send it to me and I promise to use it wisely!

[woofgang]

ha ha geezer get in the queue

[chrissa1]

I take it that people living abroad have gone to warmer climes so why do they Need the winter fuel allowance? Beats me.

[sandyRoe]

Ex-Pats might need to power fans and air conditioners to get the temperature down to remind them of Blighty.
They could use their winter fuel payment to run them.

[Sqad]

chrissa...we didnt say we needed them, the Government did (Labour Government) and when we tried to return them, they said......"O! you cant do that."

[New Judge]

Of course, sa with all these things, the government might, just might, consider abolishing such benefits entirely and allowing people to keep more of their hard-earned to spend as they see fit.

The idea that the State should be taking money from people in the form of taxes only to repay large chunks of it in the form of benefits is ludicrous, inefficient and outdated. Of course the downside is that non taxpayers would not benefit from such largesse..