The Winter Fuel Payment will now reach those who need it.
They do not include Moi! I will not be getting it. Am I annoyed or upset? No!
Before October 2008, I was a wealthy fellow. I quickly became impecunious! Now, nearly 17 years later I am a state pensioner whose other income puts me above the qualifying level. Curiously, it’s sort of satisfying as although my financial net worth is a mere fraction of what it once was, it isn’t as bad as it once was. I’m OK with this. In fact, it makes me feel less bad about my life. as my parents used to say: Count one’s blessings! There’s always someone else worse off than you!
The chances of me getting back to where I was? Slim! But then, that’s life.
Herewith the report time stamped 11:01 off the State Broadcast Service (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5yxvdl4d0pt):
Rachel Reeves has announced changes to the winter fuel payment – here’s the finer detail:
Who’s eligible this winter? Everyone over the state pension age in England and Wales with an income of, or below, £35,000 a year. Scotland and Northern Ireland announced their own updates in light of the government’s cuts last year – we’ll bring you more on that in our next post.
How many people will benefit? The government puts the figure at nine million – or more than 75% of pensioners across the two countries.
How much will be paid? As before, £200 per household with a pensioner under 80, or £300 per household where there is someone over 80, will be made automatically.
What’s changed? Following cuts last year, the payment was limited to those receiving pension credit or another means-tested benefit, which meant millions of older people missed out.