Forum Topic

Give back one's benefit?

If you are pensioners who are comfortably off, should you give back your Winter Fuel Supplements?  Or should you keep the extra cash?

Gerry Tan ● 4718d17 Comments

I am sure there are many many pensioners out there who have not claimed everything they may be entitled to. A sense of pride prevents them going down that road.The lengthy forms one would have to complete is probably yet another reason that not all pensioners claim what they are entitled to.Although Age Concern would probably help some would not bother to approach them to ask.I would have more objetions when those who have never, ever worked, or bothered to contribute to society but who feel they are entitled to every benefit going.It seems to be for some a chosen lifestyle. Now that really is rather unfair in my opinion.So whilst some people feel it is their right to live off the state I would suggest that most pensioners have actually worked before taking retirement. Now some poor souls find they have to continue working long past retirement age just to make ends meet.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4716d

Because it is cheaper than checking out how well off each individual is.  However just because someone is adequately off today doesn't mean that they will be tomorrow, particularly when they can see a detioration in services around them and don't know how much support there will be when they need it.

Philippa Bond ● 4717d

You can become eligible for the fuel allowance but you don't have to claim it. However once you have claimed it I believe it will be automatically paid into your account in following years unless you make the effort to stop it. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/overviewDo you think you could put it to better and more direct use than the Government?These rich politicians who suggest these things don't know what it is like for those who aren't well off and don't have rich family and friends to turn to when life doesn't go according to plan.

Philippa Bond ● 4717d

It seems that attitudes towards claiming benefits has changed drastically from when I was young.  It used to be that to accept benefits was a shameful experience, now it seems that the fools are those who do not claim everything possible. Surely a person cannot be condemned for claiming money just because they don't need it. What kind of person wouldn't accept free money?The question here must be why are they being offered it in the first place?

John Totes ● 4717d

Philippa, the fuel allowance is automatic when one reaches a pensionable age.It does seem a little odd though for pensioners retured to hot climates to receive it!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4717d

I think the fuel allowance is automatic once you have asked for it the first time. So if you are getting it and feel that you don't need it then giving it to someone/those who you feel are more needy would be a generous act - that could in itself give you a warm glow...

Philippa Bond ● 4718d

Quite.So why bother making all the fuss just to save the admin cost of issuing the card?

Tony Colliver ● 4718d

The thing that really worries me about all of this is the long term corrosive effect between the generations.The young are being educated to believe that the old are responsible for every evil under the sun.The bizarre thing is that many of the people spreading this insidious message are "old" themselves.I just don't understand it.

Tony Colliver ● 4718d

I wonder how many people don't take up the Freedom Pass?  I don't believe it is automatically renewed is it?I think it's a great idea to get people out of their cars and to allow them to travel free once they aren't just commuting to work and to make visiting each other and family easier. I just think it could be better.  Once you can't use public transport easily it can be very very difficult to visit partners in hospital and even friends.Day Centres are very important meeting places for many (giving valuable respite to carers) and I am very disappointed at the closure of these.

Philippa Bond ● 4718d

Just a thought...The VERY rich pensioners probably wouldn't travel by public transport anyway!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4718d

For pensioners who are able to get out and about the Freedom Pass is such a good idea. Most pensioners I know are on a limited income and having to pay fares on public transport today means that they would be severely restricted because one's pension does not go very far.We paid our dues to society and taxes throughout our working lives. Even what little savings some pensioners may have is taxed!Increased food prices and utility bills have eaten away the savings of many. Surely the last thing the MP's would want is for older people to be confined to their homes or immediate surroundings because it is simply too expensive for them to travel by bus or train?They really do not have any idea at all on how normal people live. Pensioners gave their working lives to this country and now made to feel they are a burden on society. It is just so unfair.Older people are accused of 'bed blocking' in hospitals, many have been put on the rocky road to oblivion by hospitals and doctors who think that their lives are just not worth the effort.The families of older people are charged an absolute fortune when their elderly relatives end up in a nursing home. It is cheaper to keep a prisoner inside than it is to keep a pensioner.Maybe it would be better for pensioners and prisoners to swop places? That way pensioners can be looked after, fed, housed, free TV and so on.It is time for politicians to recognise just how much pensioners have paid in to society and not treat them as a burden!Fine for those pensioners who feel rich enough to donate their little perks to others but do not expect this across the board. We did not cause the problems faced in Britian today - blame the greedy Bankers and the Government for that!We can't help getting older and in some cases more frail so MP's should just LEAVE US ALONE! Stop picking on a soft target.

Jean F Fernandez ● 4718d

Perhaps it would be better to ask the already well paid  bankers to pay their bonuses into the freedom pass scheme or to at least tax the bonuses at 75%.I won't hold my breath waiting for either of those scenarios to happen.

Keith Iddon ● 4718d

Older people definitely do feel the cold more.I'm not sure that the Freedom Pass is good enough for older people as many are not fit enough to use public transport.Hospital transport is horribly under strain and this is heavily used by the elderly to get to hospital appointments.

Philippa Bond ● 4718d

The Grey Vote may well decide the outcome of any future elections - pensioners are more likely to vote!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4718d

Make it taxable for those paying the higher 40% rate of income tax.

Martin C. Harris ● 4718d

Some MP's seem hell bent on causing ill feeling amongst the electorate by picking on the vulnerable!Many pensioners are certainly NOT rich and the Freedom Pass gives them just that - FREEDOM instead of having them lead lonely lives indoors unable to travel around and socialise.My husband and I would not be able to travel on public transport if we did not have the Freedom Pass. It is a lifeline for so many pensioners.We worked all our lives and feel that this is a just reward for all the contributions we have made over the years.The fuel allowance just goes a little way towards our ever increasing heating bills. Older people seem to feel the cold more and there are those who live in older houses without central heating, double glazing etc. They may be wealthy in terms of the home they lived in for years, it would be a crying shame that any government would wish to see the elderly suffer in this way if the fuel allowance was reduced or taken away.Fine for those peneioners who feel they can afford to give back their 'perks' in some way but pensioners should NOt be made to feel that they have never had it so good!!!The way Nick Clegg and David Cameron and Ian Duncan Smith are talking it will only be a matter of time before ALL pensioners are stripped of the Freedon Pass, Fuel Allowance and TV Licence reduction for the very elderly.Pensioners in this country are not well off, pensions in other countries are much more generous than ours!Some younger folk will be resenting their grandparents - is this the kind of society that we have now?Clegg, Cameron and IDS should come down to earth and try living for 1 month on a pensioners income!

Jean F Fernandez ● 4718d

Surely there would be administrative costs involved in giving it back?  Why not give it to a charity of your choice - somewhere where you feel it is needed. It is nice to be able to support something particular that has meaning to you.In fact in would be great if a group of people got together to put money into a local project wouldn't it - something they could see the results of.

Philippa Bond ● 4718d