New petition - adjust winter fuel payments

Hi gentleshores just if you want, the information in the Telegraph about the WFA was looked at closely on another thread specifically - and correct information posted

www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1339800-Heating-Allowance-in-Europe

gentleshores the WFA for some people abroad is being examined, announcement next month.

Oreo

Already signed other petitions to reinstate it.

Me too.

Dottydots

Well I feel I really want to give up now. In my eighties, worked hard in lifetime, piddling pension from work, recently diagnosed with a bleed on the brain. While worrying about my health and not thinking straight, a con man took me for a large amount of money for a repair to my house. I feel sick.

Now the thought of another cold winter with no help, and boy my bungalow is cold, is really depressing me.

Don't give up xxx Yes it is depressing and demoralising. I struggled with that for a few days. When you struggle anyway and have health issues. But don't let the xxxxxx's get you down, as they say.

The first thing I did was look up energy tariffs to switch to and have switched to one that is saving £250 to £300 a year. It's only saving that much because our bills are so big!

You need to keep warm this winter after your health condition. Definitely contact Age Uk as the others have said and don't be ashamed to either. I used to volunteer for them when I was younger and they are just caring people.

I actually do think you should report the conman and try and get some of your money back. I am sure there is a way you can do it anonymously.

You can also report it online here (Action Fraud). While that won't be anonymous it's private.

www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/fa/fraud/action-fraud/

You can also report it to the Police directly.

I'd also contact the Citizens Advice Bureau - they are very good on these things. You can do it by phone. I contacted them when struggling to get my money back from a large company who was ignoring consumer rights, and they reported the company to trading standards for me.

FlexibleFriend

Signed but have little faith in them listening.

I'm beginning to think the same and that they will ignore petitions, but at least it's making noise, along with various other people making noise about it.

Just read today that pensioners living in EU countries will keep the WFA, without means testing, due to a clause in the Brexit leaving agreement. Which makes the whole thing even more ridiculous if expats can get it and Uk residents can't!.

For anyone just above the pension credit limit, you can apply for help with council tax and rent plus things like dental charges on low income grounds. You don't have to be on pension credit.

Very true.
People seem to be under the impression that money is thrown at people who claim.

I applied for Attendance allowance however was refused. It seems that 58% of claims are rejected on first application. Dementia is on the list issued by the government however the DWP did not give any reasons for refusal. We have never claimed any benefits and this was a first for me. They certainly don't make it easy for people!

Signed and also wrote to my new MP ( Labour) who I voted for.

Nobody has listened to the plight of the worse off, for years.

It's just that it's been easy to dismiss them as "others", and nothing to do with people who have worked, made do and mended, and are whizzes at lentil based cooking.

Signed but have little faith in them listening.

Signed: as I have wanted a fairer and graduated approach and this offers one.
I did sign the "ban" ones too, to add to the calls for re-opening the issue.

Dear Dottydots you don't have to mention the con man to Age UK. Just talk to them about your health issues and your fears for the coming winter.
Age UK will look into any potential benefits you may be entitled to.
Anything you tell them is confidential. Please let them help you, that is what they are there for.
Talking face to face is therapeutic.
All my best wishes.

You're welcome, Tiley.
If you phone the macmillan helpline, they can talk you through every step of filling in the claim form - including scoring through some sections, as cancer will automatically mean you fulfill lots of the eligibility criteria. (Regardless of whether you actually have someone caring or you)

It's bonkers Britain and nothing has improved since Starmer took over. In fact the opposite.

The WFA was a great help to me as I have only my savings which are diminishing rather quickly and my DH's state pension. We've just had a boiler repair as well so I'm really hoping they reinstate the allowance for those on us on a low income.

Thank you Aldom. I am just going to have to bite the bullet, though, as I live on my own and wouldn't feel safe if I named him. I wouldn't want my sons, who live away, to know either.

MissAdventure

Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months
There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate.

This from the government website, Tiley.

Assuming you are a UK resident, you will definitely qualify.

Thank you Miss Adventure

Good advice on here for you, please don’t give up 💐💐💐💐💐

Dottydots I'm so sorry to read of your situation.
Please contact Age UK as I think they are in a position to give you help and support. Please don't struggle on alone. Sending you a warm hug.

Well I feel I really want to give up now. In my eighties, worked hard in lifetime, piddling pension from work, recently diagnosed with a bleed on the brain. While worrying about my health and not thinking straight, a con man took me for a large amount of money for a repair to my house. I feel sick.

Now the thought of another cold winter with no help, and boy my bungalow is cold, is really depressing me.

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

Tiley

I am so annoyed at the scrapping of the winter feul payment. Its the same old story work hard all your life and save for retirement and get virtually nothing
Or claim benefits and qualify for more benefits plus free handouts

My view too, Tiley.

Eligibility
You can get Attendance Allowance if you’ve reached State Pension age and the following apply:

you have a physical disability (including sensory disability, for example blindness), a mental disability (including learning difficulties), or both
your disability is severe enough for you to need help caring for yourself or someone to supervise you, for your own or someone else’s safety
you have needed that help for at least 6 months
There are different eligibility rules if you’re nearing the end of life (for example, due to a life-limiting illness). You might be able to get Attendance Allowance more quickly and at a higher rate.

This from the government website, Tiley.

Assuming you are a UK resident, you will definitely qualify.

MissAdventure

People with health problems can claim different benefits, with components relevant to their particular issues.

I have cancer that has spread to different parts of my body, in my 70's but no help out there for me.

You can imagine how high our bills are if it's saving £300 a year!