growinspain

this is new to me also... After 20 years on the mainland and mingling with island folk....

Explains a lot about the culture - handout from the government -

DLC

It says more about the culture of how the government treats its people.

Both the christmas bonus and the winter fuel allowance are ways of raising the UK's famously low pensions when compared to its neighbours a bit, but that money doesn't get raised by the same amount as pensions each year and comes with more restrictions than pension money, especially after an angry Daily Mail lynch mob has been whipped up.

Fredbargate

I receive the £10 bonus not the Winter Fuel Allowance

Rosemary

AH, sorry, my mistake.

Rosemary

spainrico

And I see my tenner has now arrived...so Christmas is not cancelled after all.

Rosemary

Do not allow this sudden wealth go to your head, spend it wisely.

Rosemary

spainrico

Thanks, Rosemary - I will be a 'wise man'

mikelincs

It's something to do with average temperatures over the winter months in the country you are living in, above the average, no payment, below, payment this adversely affects people living in warmer countries, but who may live in one of thee colder parts, or up a mountain.

bobd22

That's my understanding if one lives taly for instance they still qualify irrespective if they live up a mountain or in a warm coastal area. I remember when it was being discussed and changed. My personal view was there was quite a few people in the UK that were not happy that those living in warmer parts of the EU were getting the winter fuel payment. These people may have green eyed monster syndrome? Some may have seen it as some warped way of getting back at the people they see as traitors for leaving UK to live elsewhere in the EU. Whatever their reasoning the government decided to remove it for some, I'm sure it was a win win for government saved some money and probably won some of these people over to vote for them. Personally I never got it so don't miss something I never got. That said its part of the pension package further north one lives in UK colder the winter is generally yet there is no differential in the payment. Also yes some areas of Spain and other southern European countries have mild or milder winters than UK. However being used to warmer weather makes one feel the cold in winter in Spain being used to the summer heat and acclimatising, so we all incur some extra expense during winter months extra gas electric etc. Also all of us living in Spain know that in winter outside temperature and inside the house temperature are two very different things. I can't miss what I've never had but this is just my view on it. I'm actually more happy that after Brexit we got our annual pension increase protected by the WA.

BristolUK

Clarification

Winter fuel payment (age related) - If you were born before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

Cold Weather Payment (for this one there are qualifying benefits) - You’ll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below over 7 consecutive days.

bobd22

Yes I was aware there were 2 forms of winter fuel payments. I think generally most UK pensioners get the higher rate winter fuel payment. The cold weather payment is totally seperate and triggered by specific weather conditions.

BristolUK

I thought the clarification was useful following all the different/differing comments.

bobd22

Yes good to know the facts.

Fred James

The main reason Spain did not meet the temperature criterea was because the evil IDS chose to include the weather data from the Canary Islands.

BEVS

Being kind. Given 'em all a until they send you something nice . A wood log . Woolly socksies. Just a happies.