Crosswords0 min ago
Winter Fuel Payments......
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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....
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.
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.
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