General Chat

Even Peter Stringfellow thinks he shouldn't get it.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-11850514

But what the hell - Sod it - let's spend it on alcohol - those kids whose parents have had their benefits cut - they are 'common', (ie live in social housing ergo = 'common' and 'thick' - apparently) and can freeze.

As you say Barbra, the winter fuel allowance is very important to lot of pensioners. It's a pity that some treat it, and them with barely concealed contempt, even stooping to insult Wales! What an idiotic self opinionated fool.

well as Rollo is researching his grandfather's servants, he can spend the money on that

Rolo .I myself support charities NSPCC .RSPB .Great Ormond street Hospital .& Hill Side animal Charity ..You say about environment/. In Scotland we have the awful Wind Farms all over the Countryside .every county has problems don't think you are fair talking about Wales ? .Our winter Payments mean a lot to retired people .I do use it mainly for electric . .The payments are there for us to use as we see fit Think you are a wind up merchant .Enjoy your five minutes of fame ;-)

A tax free gift from the UK Treasury is a rare and wonderful thing so I use the £ 200 as intended, to bring warmth and joy to the winter season.

There are many more tax efficient ways to donate to charities than foregoing the fuel allowance. I take a great pleasure in donating to charities which look after feisty wild creatures from seal rescue to snow leopards.

Here is a guy, a vet, who I really admire.

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-supervet

in the latest episode he managed the very rare feat of healing the wing of a bird of prey.

The Welsh government does not care a thing about wild animals and ecology. It is going to build a second M4 right through the Gwent levels

http://www.wildlifetrusts.org/living-landscape/living-landscape-schemes/scheme-directory/gwent-levels

Even in economic terms a daft proposal as it will block the expansion of Newport dock.

You should do according to the guide lines

The qualifying dates are 19th - 25th sept

2. What you'll get
How much you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week. The qualifying week for winter 2016 to 2017 is 19 to 25 September 2016.

Any money you get is tax-free and won’t affect your other benefits.

Circumstance Born on or before 5 May 1953 Aged 80 or over in the qualifying week
You qualify and live alone (or none of the people you live with qualify) £200 £300

I was born June 1936 - do I get £300?

According to letter, qualifying date is 19-25 September, so changes in circumstances after that date are not taken into account.

Surely you give it to charity Rollo, to those who need it as you clearly don't.

I usually spend mine on a case of reasonable wine - there are lots of bargain offers this time of year.. Keeps me nice and warm :-) I

Hello OH & Myself got a letter each today .why not one envelope ? .anyway payments will be made before Christmas .Thanks again All :-)

jean got her letter yesterday..........roberts' will be a few days later...

My friend got his about a fortnight ago, and he lives opposite the Isle of Wight.
Do they start from the South and work their way up?

Hubby got letter yesterday, - payment in the bank today.

I dont qualify, yet. :-)

Cheer up Ann. Are you reading an old letter?

The qualifying date for this year is 5/5/1953. Anyone born before then is eligible ie people aged 63, which I imagine is the current retirement age. The date they use for whether you are eligible in any particular year is in September, so if you reach 80 before then, you get the higher rate.

OH and I both qualify, but I pay the fuel bills, so he gives me his payment as soon as he gets it. Next year I shall be 80 just before the September deadline, so will get the higher rate - very useful if it's as cold as this year!!

Thank You All x will wait for the post now .Robert behave :-)

Usually get ours December.

bit disappointed now - thought it was everyone over eighty :-(that means people over 93 years of age :-D :-D

Anyone aged 80 or over on or before 21 September 2003 may qualify for the new 80+ Annual Payment, and anyone aged 60 or over on or before 21 September 2003 may qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment. Most eligible people will get their payment automatically.

Letter arrived Friday was credited today :-)

Well mine was hubby hasn't had letter yet.