Disabled vs OAP - Winter fuel allowance

Wibbles
Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,563 Championing
The government thinks more of OAPs than it does of the disabled - otherwise why do ALL pensioners get a minimum of £250 Winter fuel allowance when ALL disabled only receive £150 - (both) regardless of savings ?
Of course - if you come under both categories - you receve a minimum of £400

Comments

  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,563 Championing
    edited November 2022

    Eligibility

    You can get a Winter Fuel Payment if you were born before 26 September 1956.

    You usually need to live in the UK. In some circumstances, you might be eligible if you live abroad.

    When you will not be eligible

    You will not be eligible if you:

    • have been in hospital getting free treatment for more than a year
    • need permission to enter the UK and your granted leave says that you cannot claim public funds
    • were in prison for the whole of the week of 19 to 25 September 2022

    If you live in a care home

    You can get Winter Fuel Payment if you live in a care home. You will not be eligible if both of the following apply:

    • you get Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) or income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • you lived in a care home for the whole time from 27 June to 25 September 2022

    How much you'll get

    You’ll get a letter in October or November telling you how much Winter Fuel Payment you’ll get, if you’re eligible.

    The amount you get is based on when you were born and your circumstances between 19 to 25 September 2022. This is called the ‘qualifying week’.

    The amounts listed include a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022 to 2023.

    Any money you get is tax-free and will not affect your other benefits.

    If you live alone or no one you live with is eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment

    You’ll get either:

    • £500 if you were born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956
    • £600 if you were born before 26 September 1942

    If you live with someone else who’s eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment

    Your payment may be different if you get one of the following benefits:

    • Pension Credit
    • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
    • income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
    • Income Support

    If you do not get any of the benefits

    You’ll get a payment of either:

    • £250 if you and the person you live with were both born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956
    • £350 if you were born before 26 September 1942 but the person you live with was born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956
    • £300 if you and the person you live with were both born before 26 September 1942

    If you and your partner jointly claim any of the benefits

    One of you will get a payment of either:

    • £500 if both of you were born between 26 September 1942 and 25 September 1956
    • £600 if one or both of you were born before 26 September 1942

    So - any couple with one partner aged 80 (no matter whether they are millionaires) - will receive AT LEAST £350 
    Confusingly - a single (over 66 year old) will receive £500
    Plus WHD

    Whereas disabled people at the same financial position will receive just £150 !



  • CharlieRose256
    CharlieRose256 Online Community Member Posts: 68 Contributor
    Wibbles said:

    You will not be eligible if you:

    • were in prison for the whole of the week of 19 to 25 September 2022
    That’s oddly specific, it doesn’t effect me in anyway, but can someone tell me why that specific week disqualifies you?
  • Wibbles
    Wibbles Online Community Member Posts: 2,563 Championing
    Wibbles said:

    You will not be eligible if you:

    • were in prison for the whole of the week of 19 to 25 September 2022
    That’s oddly specific, it doesn’t effect me in anyway, but can someone tell me why that specific week disqualifies you?

    That's the international week of the deaf, National Eye Health Week & Red Squirrel awareness week as well, as the Autumn Equinox - Take your pick as to the reason !

  • Cartini
    Cartini Online Community Member Posts: 1,107 Trailblazing
    Unfortunately a line has to be drawn somewhere and, because of this, there will always be some people gaining more than others.
    I`m more than happy with the £150 I`m going to receive, that will be an immense help.
    What I frown at is those on UC receiving £900; I think this should be halved and the other £450 shared amongst those who are disabled and who can prove that they have a higher use of gas and electricity (and I don`t fall into that bracket) to gain extra help.
    You can please some of the people all of the time
    You can please all of the people some of the time
    But you can`t please all of the people all of the time - John Lydgate

  • easy
    easy Scope Member Posts: 688 Empowering
    I was 66 on November 19th so I guess I won't get any, not even the amount to be given in April?