2022 Winter Fuel Payment

Finance & Banking Finance & Banking: Chat / Discussions
#125

Is this an extra payment on top of your pension? Don’t you get year round assistance with your energy bill? Can’t you save it for winter?

I get an energy supplement to help with power bills and a Pension Supplement to help with the GST (VAT) though to be frank I am surprised the latter hasn’t been absorbed into the general rate it has been so long since the GST was introduced.

I think there is also a rental assistance supplement for those who don’t own their own house but I have never received that.

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https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/how-much-age-pension-you-can-get?context=22526

#126

Like send it to help the war effort in Ukraine?
Or help some obscure African state to install wind turbines…

There are more elderly on the breadline than you think Ripple.
The cost of doing means testing would outweigh sending the tenner to all the pensioners.

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#127

I must say, I for one am very thankful for the £10, I could make a beautiful stew with that money, and as Tesco’s catchphrase says, I think it’s Tesco…” Every Penny Counts”…some pensioners who live on a shoe string, £ 10 is a lot of money to them!
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Bravo Pauline.
If people are too well off they should donate the tenner to the salvation army who will be hard at it providing meals for those living rough over Christmas while some posters will be enjoying a warm well fed couple of days with their families around them…

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#128

Bravo Pauline.
If people are too well off they should donate the tenner to the salvation army who will be hard at it providing meals for those living rough over Christmas while some posters will be enjoying a warm well fed couple of days with their families around them…
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I couldn’t agree more,OGF…:+1:

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#129

There’s no need to test - merely excluding all those who pay tax would simplify distribution or, selectively, using the criteria for Cold Weather Payment:

Eligibility

You may get Cold Weather Payments if you’re getting:

  • Pension Credit
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Universal Credit
  • Support for Mortgage Interest
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#130

There are about 12 and half million people claiming a State Pension in UK.
Of those, less than 1 and half million are claiming Pension Credit.
The Government estimate that around £1.7 billion in benefits is not being claimed.
I would urge any Pensioner who is on the breadline or anyone who knows a pensioner who is on the breadline to have a look at whether they are eligible to apply for Pension Credit.
Even if it only tops their income up by a very small amount per week, it is one of the “gateway benefits” that means they are eligible for other means-tested benefits.

Here’s some info and advice about it:

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#131

Why means test ?
The extra tenner could easily be paid to those in receipt of benefit payments.

#132

Wouldn’t be my choice …but if you like !

I’d rather see the money go towards affordable housing here in the U.K.

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#133

I gave mine to a food bank.

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#134

Mine went to a food bank and my wife’s went to the Salvation Arny

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#135

I donate by direct debit to the Trussle Trust, Also AgeUK

I feel I’m entitled to spend my £10 on a extra box Lindt chocolate truffles… they are my favourites. The large box is on offer at Ocado.
Until this year I had no idea I got a £10 Xmas bonus….that’s why this free for all over a certain age in my opinion should stop.
It’s made no difference to my life , but the money saved could make a difference if paid to those on benefits.
Or channelled into a worthy cause.
Social housing, affordable housing ,new dialysis machines for the NHS ,pothole repair …whatever

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#136

Had another £67 in today, my payments to date:

22 Dec, £67
29 Nov, £66
01 Nov, £66

#137

That’s not the Government Winter Fuel Payment Azz . Those are the Energy monthly rebates .

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#138

What’s the difference Zuleika? :icon_redface: :lol:

#139

You have to be drawing a pension to qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment.

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#140

The Winter Fuel Payment is,as Jazzi said ,a once yearly payment for those in receipt of the State Pension .
The Energy Rebate is a one - off so far as we know to help with the rising cost of heating our homes ,not restricted to those in receipt of the state pension .

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#141

I haven’t received mine yet. :cry:

#142

Have you had the letter though?
If you’ve not been paid by 13 January 2023, check your account before you contact the Winter Fuel Payment Centre.

#143

Yes, I have had the letter, this is the fist time I haven’t had it
before Christmas.

#144

Apologies!! It is there! Sitting snugly in my bank account… :joy:

Phew!!!