Expats get £16m in winter fuel payments

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 20:24

"Nearly 5,000 claimants live in Cyprus, where the average winter daytime temperature is 16C."



£250 if your over 60.... Are the UK government having a laugh!!!

Do they not realize how much KibteK charge for electric out here??



http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/expats-get-16m-in-winter-fuel-payments-tele-45fe1d1863ff.html

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 20:28

well i for 1 think all those 5000 who it says live in cyprus should be means tested





Maybe the system is open to wide abuse.

yrret


Joined: 17/08/2010
Posts: 761

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 20:40

The temp is all relative, and logs cost more in Cy.

People here should get a lot more than £250.



As for zc's idea, no point testing, 90% are mean enough.

zerochlor


Joined: 03/04/2009
Posts: 4024

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 20:42

yrret

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 22:23

I applied and was turned down as i wasnt living in the uk for a week of the qualifying period so i can never get it.I shouldnt have been so honest.

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 22:28

Deniz1, At 53 yrs old you would not be able to claim for the winter fuel payment.



But im sure many do and claim for even more than just fuel payments......??

spider


Joined: 03/01/2009
Posts: 5527

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 22:34

I know a few people who go back every three months for Dr appointments. Could they claim for their winter allowance then, as they would be back during winter months ? although they only stay a week maybe two..saying that I dont even think they are over 60ys so perhaps not !





Spider,X

Jetski


Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 584

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 22:41

and people have the nerve to complain about the fraud and cheating in this country!..........

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 22:49

It does seem anomalous that the winter fuel payment is an addition to the retirement pension and therefore paid as an absolute right given the current domiciliary qualification.



Some think it ought to be part of a means tested benefit system... but herein lies the rub, the cost of administering it and deciding whether you should/should not get it would be more than the savings. i.e. it's cheaper to give it to all qualifying pensioners than it would be to hire the civil servants to investigate and decide... you can't have it both ways... you want less civil servants but you want clamp-downs on benefits.



It was determined that this addition to the pension was justified for all pensioners who were living in the UK on a given date. Talk was of making it means tested but the figures just didn't add up.... plus many pensioners don't apply for means tested benefits - estimates five times more unclaimed.



BTW, I don't get it and never will... too young and do not live in the UK.

teatime


Joined: 20/10/2008
Posts: 852

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 23:04

Msg 8: absolutely right jetski

rowlo



Joined: 12/10/2008
Posts: 4796

Message Posted:
12/10/2010 23:08

maybe they should bring in a summer fuel payment for expats ? costs a fortune to keep the aircon on allday lmao ,

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 01:34

Well, here goes my twopenneth.

If you've worked all your life in Uk, and paid your taxes, as most over 65's have, why shouldn't they be entitled to the winter fuel payment?

Because they worked all their lives, saved for their retirement, why can't they retire to a warmer climate?

Yes, it is cold over here during the winter, Electricity is expensive, so are logs. What's the difference whether they live over here or in UK? They paid in, why can't they have what is due to them?

And believe me, if they are retired and have any form of income, they are being taxed again on the earnings that have already been taxed during the time they were working.

Jefferson


Joined: 17/05/2010
Posts: 360

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 05:41

Make that fourpenneth.

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 07:29

Must be a misprint on my profile i am 63.

Snaefell



Joined: 07/06/2009
Posts: 266

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 19:49

My husband applied and was told we we unable to claim because we live in the Isle of Man.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 22:46

any one over £10000 ayear pension should not be alolowed to claim it. And they say we in England are benefit sroungers.Why do you want a WINTERfuel allowance when the temp, there very rarely goes below+10c,not like here where we regularly get minus temps.The whole scheme should be scrapped another system for the real hard ship pensioners be devised.

Stubs


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 641

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 22:53

Why should someone not living in the UK be entitled to heating allowance.



There are many ex-pats who make the the TRNC as their home buy go back to use the health service there.



Using the excuse as paying tax all their years is not an excuse and certainly does not give anyone the right to automatic health care etc in the UK.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 22:55

I think it should be scrapped altogether and all the power suppliers should be made to bring prices down, the profit they make is ridiculous, as long as people are getting allowances they will keep their prices up.

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 23:10

I'm not a pensioner but I used to get the winter fuel allowance. Doctors had decided I was disabled and unable to work from having very aggresive chemotherapy amongst other things. Some small minded jobsworth decided it wasn't enough and took all my benefits away.

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 23:55

LaptaMike .. It wasn't the winter fuel allowance you received, because it is directly linked to your state pension ..

Coachie .. Get your backside over here Jan / Feb & you won't be sitting outside on a patio at 4.00pm with a glass of wine in your hand ..

LaptaMike


Joined: 07/10/2009
Posts: 1679

Message Posted:
13/10/2010 23:59

harita, if it wasn't a winter fuel allowance, why did it say winter fuel allowance on the letter that accompanied the cheque?

harita


Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 1343

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:02

Not the same as the winter fuel allowance as Coachie is advocating we don't deserve ..

Must be a different benefit ..

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:11

Ho Coachie . You have missed . However do not agree with you . Over 65's should all be entitled to fuel benefit . TRNC winters can be very cold I know I spend weeks every winter in TRNC

Please remember Electricity costs more in TRNC than UK.

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:27

All I can say is thank-you, for the fuel allowance I get from the UK government.............It's the only thing I have ever had given to me................

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:31

blackie you are never that old, i picture you as a rocker, don't disillusion me please

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:34

Sorry Lilli I have had the payments for a couple of years now.......................thanks.................

Blackbird



Joined: 11/08/2009
Posts: 1432

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 00:37

................it is the only thing that has ever been given to me by our government............I'll stop here 'cos I don't have much good to say about the British governments............

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 08:38

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8118478.stm



Read this and then think about how relevant £16m in winter fuel allowances for ex-pats are when £10.5 billion is under-claimed... if you could reduce the winter fuel allowance costs by anything meaningful that is...



It's a drop in the ocean and far too costly to turn into a means tested benefit.

straitasadie


Joined: 14/09/2009
Posts: 450

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 10:38

message 12 100% spot on

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 10:39

Coachie . My messege should have said '' you have been missed ''

straitasadie


Joined: 14/09/2009
Posts: 450

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 10:49

message 16. Ive worked all my working life paying tax and ni in britain. due to health reasons i live in

cyprus.do not get a penny from the state.My last august electric bill was 475 tl (obviously due to aircon).

give me a good reason why i should not get it when i'm sure there are 1000s getting it who have never

worked or paid a penny into the system.

straitasadie


Joined: 14/09/2009
Posts: 450

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 10:52

message 17.Can not think a right minded person can believe that.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:31

msg 31. Thought you had to be 60 to get the allowance and you can only get it if you are resident in the UK when you first claim your pension.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:41

Quite right - got to buy some fire wood!!!!!

nadymou


Joined: 14/11/2008
Posts: 18

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:44

I think following the forthcoming emergency budget, the question will be irrelevant. I'm sure it will be one the inevitable cuts, for pensioners in the UK and elsewhere



What do others think.

HildySmith


Joined: 02/07/2009
Posts: 1708

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:46

Having worked since I was 15 years old and never claimed benefit. I have always paid the full stamp. I have not had any unemployment I worked all the time I brought up my 3 kids. I wored in the UK until I was 63 (until hubby retired). I never lived in social housing - always bought my own and lived and owned some very poor houses but brought them up to scratch - with no grants.

I do not feel an ounce of guilt when that Winter fuel allowance goes into my bank account.

Woodspeckie


Joined: 25/01/2009
Posts: 2263

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:47

msg 35. May change the qualifying age.

birdman



Joined: 20/09/2010
Posts: 690

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 12:47

Having recieved a letter from the tax man requesting my current address in TRNC I was sent £500 to cover the last two years winter fuel allowance as they had forgotten to give it to me. Who said the taxman was tight?

They obviously know that it can get cold here in winter and that electricty is expensive here.

stilluvithere



Joined: 03/12/2008
Posts: 765

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:13

If the UK tax man said that I didn't have to pay 20% of my pension in tax, provided you don't claim winter fuel allowance and not to use the National Health system I would jump at the chance, as with the savings I could heat my house, buy the best health insurance and still have a few pennies left

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:20

Msg 38 if you revieved a letter from the tax man why did they need to ask your address or was it pidgeon post? Doesnt make sense

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 13:30

same old same old !! penilise those that have worked all there life tax them on retirement take away the heating allowence .



Same old same old . never work scrounge every benefit under the sun, result more benefit in other ways to cover heating, ciggies, betting, luxuries etc .



proof working alll your life in the UK is fast becoming a joke !!

halffull


Joined: 26/01/2009
Posts: 571

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 16:02

Yes, I was eligible to claim this year, being 60 and had no qualms having paid my taxes all my life from 15 without a break and still paying! Only to find

a) I wasn't in the UK for the qualifying week!!!

b) They changed the age to 65 one month before my birthday

So I shall try again when I'm 65 an make sure I'm in the UK for the appropriate week in September.

Pay back time!!!

girne 29


Joined: 06/12/2007
Posts: 1488

Message Posted:
14/10/2010 16:18

message 12



'If you've worked all your life in Uk, and paid your taxes, as most over 65's have, why shouldn't they be entitled to the winter fuel payment'



But going by most of the views on this forum, the same does not apply to people who have worked and paid ALL their taxes most of their lives and become disabled or unemployed. They are scroungers.

The hypocrisy on here is unreal.

As for all you tax dodgers, stay out of the argument,if you steal from the exchequer you have no right to comment on what taxes are used for.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 15:48

Hi Pipie...Nice to know you are missed!!!!!My grand son is one of the people who cannot get a job,simply because there are no jobs out there for young people,so I suppose he is a "scrounger".Where do you get all this info about all these extra benefits they get.He gets the bare minimum and he has a girlfriend and baby to look after.Its probably because he is not a "professional" These you will never get rid of.Theyare expecting around 80000job losses in the west Midlands area alone.How can you make that sort of number of people redundandant and not expect the Benefits bill to come down.Some thing does not add up to me.I bet there are a couple of Million voters are wishing they had not voted Tory.Next week is tell all from Cameron & Osbourne..We shall see what their MasterPlan is for us poor souls....



































How can you put that sort

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 15:58

Coachie.



I have no issues with a genuine case and I feel sure your grandson is a genuine case in which a safety net is provided for in the UK .



However I know of cases and still do where scroungers earn more through benefits that if they were to work . I am sick of seeing these cases laugh in the face of the workers who are sick of supporting these leeches in the UK society .

Next week cannot come quick enough for me in the hopes it will bring most of these benefit claiment creeps to task .

Fingers crossed I hope to goodness I am not dissapointed

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 18:16

Pipie...pie in the sky my dear.You will never eliminate these pros.They have been at it too long,and can you imagine the cost of having all of them reclassified,it is obviously better to let them get away with it.Believe me I am a labour man as you know, but it gets up my nose to see it happening.All these people who are about to loose their jobs are genuine people who will get the third degree now when they apply for benefits.



Just asaword of warning to those who come back for free medical aid when they are not entitled to it,when your passport is swiped at point of entry into the UK,your details go onto the DWP computers and then to the NHS,so if you do not have a genuine address in the UK you might end up with a bill like the women had to pay in Birmingham (£3700) she was not impressed. They have actually got an office in Malaga in Spain checking on ex-pats claiming benefits.So look out the bogey man is about....

deecyprus4


Joined: 27/07/2008
Posts: 3452

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 18:30

I think you may have your information wrong at the moment Coachie, I am not saying this will not happen but not at the moment.

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 18:53

I wonder how many over 65'ers didn't use the national health system whilst working. Had a

private health insurance and private dentisty, never been out of work since age 15.

Why would they now go back to Uk to go on a waiting list for months to get treatment?

If they do, do they not now deserve to get National health treatment? Or indeed the heating

allowance?

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 19:10

It seems most people are mistaking this as a "allowance"

Its a Tax free "payment" NOT an "allowance".



It make no difference how much or for how long you have payed tax.



You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2010/11 if:

you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 July 1950)

you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 20–26 September 2010.



How easy is it to scam that one..... LMAO

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 19:17

Will it affect your other benefits or taxes?

The Winter Fuel Payment won't affect your other benefits and you won't have to pay Income Tax on it.



Roll up Roll up....... Everyones a winner

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 21:17

tootie...at this moment in time.Give Osbourne time and he will come round to it...

branwell



Joined: 09/08/2010
Posts: 141

Message Posted:
15/10/2010 21:29

Thank goodness for the 'Daily Mail'.....it provides a moral compass for ex-pats in TRNC

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
16/10/2010 00:22

Tootie, I think you are missing the point, why shouldn't the over 65's have their winter fuel payment, what other benefits can they claim, they pay tax on the income they recieve after paying tax on what they earnt in the first blimmin' place!!!!!!!!!!

Pipie


Joined: 05/01/2008
Posts: 5499

Message Posted:
16/10/2010 00:59

I agree flowerfairy !!

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
16/10/2010 01:31

Flowerfairy....

Ok if you live in the UK like my Gran does then why should she not have the right to the "WINTER FUEL PAYMENT"??



But if you have the expendable income for holidays or breaks to the TRNC like you seem to have. Then are you going to tell me its right to claim the winter fuel payment??

Deniz1


Joined: 28/07/2009
Posts: 3829

Message Posted:
16/10/2010 05:39

If you have to fly back to uk to get the heating allowance every year you will be losing money as the air fare is more than the allowance!

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
16/10/2010 09:03

Tootie, of course it is!!!!!

If one chooses to work ones batty off, work all hours God sends, save some for the latter years, like many, I'm sure, (instead of holidaying every year,or upgrading your house every few years), why can't one claim what's being offered ?





I do hope your Gran receives her winter fuel payment, why is she not entitled to it, may i ask?

littlejohn


Joined: 09/03/2009
Posts: 316

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 00:53

Message52 - to much to hope that you are "having a laugh'?!

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 02:22

OK what about this scenario. I have retired to TRNC; sold up, lock, stock, etc. I do not have an address in the UK because I have been stupid enough to put all I have into this Godforsaken country. Now, I cannot return home for any NHS treatment that I may need (because I have not been clever enough to keep a UK address and, without one, I believe I am not entitled after 6 months out of the country). Now, as I see it, I have paid my NI since I started work, paid my income tax, am NOT costing the NHS any money - and yet, people tell me that, because I am able to afford to retire to another country, I am NOT entitled to ANYTHING?



BS - bags of it.



PS As it is, I am 60 next month and am not entitled to claim my OAP State Benefit until June of next year. I have a friend, who is 60 in January and she cannot claim hers until quite some time later in 2011. Thin edge of the wedge, I believe. So, please, don't tell me that those of us who have worked all our lives are NOT ENTITLED.

kavenkoy


Joined: 10/04/2008
Posts: 1787

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 07:29

for my twopenneth.



you cant be entitled to a state fuel allowance if you no longer live there.



if you think differently then you need to give your head a shake for 5 minutes.



as for all thoise that have paid in for yearsYES you should be allowed at any time to fly home and have hospital etc treatment.



any other benefit im afraid should not be paid



having said all of that if we stopped 3rd world people entering uk for treatment and handouts we would all be better off



kav

ps worked and paid 40% tax for many years ,and apart from stsitched have never visited doctors or hospital ...so like others would feel cheated

flowerfairy


Joined: 17/09/2008
Posts: 1277

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 10:40

Hey Jean, put the kettle on luv, lets put this world to rights !!!!!!!!!!!!

After working full time at the tender age of just fifteen, bringing up four siblings, with no help from

the social, just dad working all hours God sent, and now also to be told, hey ho, you were born too soon,

you've gotta wait another two years to collect your pension.

Bl''''''''''''''dy liberty.The 'powers' that be probably were'nt even born while all this was going on.

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 19:41

Flowerfairy/Jeannie...Wait till Mr Osbourne is finished us then.They have gone back on so many things lately and changed direction on more than one occassion,it would not surprtise me if you lot over there got every thing and us lot here get nothing.....

barnaclebill


Joined: 12/12/2008
Posts: 303

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 19:52

NHS treatment is based on residency not what you have or have not paid in. All the taxes that you paid over the years goes to fund the NHS to treat the immigrants.When they are better they go back home with a bag full of medicine to keep them going Simples.

As COACHIE said the government did not spend a fortune upgrading the commputers at the border controls for nothing all the data bases are linked so it is much easier to keep track of your movements.I would say that fuel payments to those living abroad are an easy target for the government to claw back the money,watch this space??????

BB

apc2010


Joined: 28/07/2010
Posts: 1689

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 20:19

16 million on heating allowance is nothing when the uk government spends billions on war , i think a few oaps abroad are not top concern ,,,,,,,,,,4.5 billion in 2009



http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/feb/12/british-costs-soar-in-afghanistan-and-iraq

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
17/10/2010 20:44

"all the data bases are linked so it is much easier to keep track of your movements"



It was strictly against the provisions of the Data Protection Act for data collected for one purpose (immigration) to be handed to another authority ((for example the NHS) for a different purpose. Even though you or I might deem it only common sense to share information it is as far as I know simply not the done thing.... I would be interested to know if this aspect of Data Protection has changed or is this a big-brother conspiracy theory?