General Chat

Yes, but a lot of people are unaware that there are two separate benefits and get the two confused.

In practice, only a relatively small handful of people get Cold Weather Payment, whereas everyone over the qualifying age receives Winter Fuel Payment.

What happens to WFP hasn't yet been decided, but there is a chance it will become means tested so the better off will either get a reduced amount or even none at all.

I knew that inspector.... ;-0)
But the thing is, many pensioners who may have very little to live on are living in fear at the moment.
Not a good feeling to be living with.
Deanna X

This is NOT the Winter Fuel Payment., it is the the Cold Weather Payment which is a different benefit altogether, so don't get too excited.

The Winter fuel Payment is £250 or £400, depending on your age and is currently paid to everyone over retirement age. To qualify this year you have to be born on or before 5 July 1950.

The Cold Weather Payment is currently £25 and is paid when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March.

To qualify for the Cold Weather Payment, you also need to be in receipt of:-

Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or income-related Employment and Support Allowance in the assessment phase and have one of the following:

a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium
a disability premium, enhanced disability premium or severe disability premium
a disabled child premium
Child Tax Credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
a child who is under five in the family

Hooray,
Wonder if we will keep our Bus Passes.
Sue x

I just read that its been restored to £25 and will be for the next 4yrs,thanks to an outcry by opposition members.

well don DC for giving people stress over this.

wendy