Probably not a popular point of view, but I'm with you 100%. Never quite understood this "I've paid in for x number of years, and even though I don't any more, I should be able to claim all the benefits until I die" They were covered all the time they were in UK, once people stop contributing, the money should stop. We normally get the same people moaning about immigrants coming to UK, have contributed nothing but get the benefits. Personally, I'd sooner see the immigrants get it, although they might send some home, the vast majority will be spent in UK helping the UK economy, not exported to the benefit of Spain or wherever. But I suspect you and I might be in the minority!

It reminds me of my daughter, when she moved from the infants school to junior.

She like the meals better in the infants and could not understand why she could not pay her money and eat in the school she had already left, where she enjoyed the meals more.

I told her that when you move on, that is it.

Sorry, but I thought this was about WFA. Now it´s about house prices in the UK.

Sorry, this thread was meant to be about WFA and now it´s about house prices in the UK. I guess most posts go off topic but I was really interested in the replies to WFA

I am sure there will be another benefit or allowance that you can write about in years to come and don't forget to refuse it!

Winter Fuel Allowance, Family Allowance, Pensioner's Christmas bonus et al are examples of extra income given to households that are not means tested and everyone from royalty to the ordinary man in the street receives them regardless of their income. (Ok the family allowance one you need to have a child under a certain age).

If Her Majesty's Government deems fit to withdraw any or all of these benefits then they are quite at liberty to do so for reasons of national economy. However it should be all or none.

To cherry pick whom they withdraw them is not good policy IMHO. If those that do not need them or want them wish to donate the extra income to a charity then please do so.

What gets up most peoples noses is the way that the vast majority of people everywhere in the western world who are in employment and strive to make a better life for themselves and their families are constantly having their earned advantages snatched from them. Frugal people who have put off jam today for jam tomorrow are now seeing that jam being spread evermore thinly.

Workshy households for generations have lived on state handouts, and we all know lots of examples, without contributing either moneytarily or socially are still propped up by those of us who are still paying into the system.

The truth is that the WFA for people living in a "warmer climate" was an easy vote winner as a distraction to current events given that if you consulted any vox pop they would concur with the decision. I doubt whether any serious thought was given to the cost savings or political fall out.

I do not receive it nor do I need it but to have the right to receive it removed on a whim is extremely irksome.

Rant over, thank you

I for one agree with your sentiments

I will not have to refuse the WFA, because I will not apply for it in the first place.

Unlike you I would not feel right about the British taxpayer subsidising my fuel bills in Spain.

So take your smart answer and shove it.

I am trusting the winter at 800m will not be as bad as the last one. I only have one preceding to use as reference which wasn't as bad, and the BH has 5 years experience and works with Spaniards who are all saying the weather had been uncharacteristically cold and wet for extended periods
but then there is an island that is north of France that also has variations similar

other than their diaries (a very old habit) no one came back from Scott's last journey

Well i worked until i was 60 years of age and even paid full stamp when i could have paid a married womans but still didn't qualify for WFA as I moved to Spain in the March and apparently i had to still live in the Uk in September to claim. I did get it last year but nothing backdated for the 9 years i have lost. There were no top up benefits in my day which is why not only did I work full time I also worked several evenings a week to ensure we were able to pay our bills and have an annual holiday, all this while raising my two children. These days you can get a job for a few hours a week and get your wages topped up with credits so why work more hours?

Can't live without your winter fuel payment? Try one of these:

While I can have some sympathy for those who worked when the benefits system was not as available as it may be now the future for many of a simlar age now or close to it will be very different.
My OH will have to wait until she is 67 to get the OAP already having worked for almost 40 years. No additional pension for the extra years worked. Private pensions are now a joke.
I may get my pension at 65 but retirement is not realistic I and many thousands like me will carry on working in one form or another while there is work available.
So you would think that we would want and demand all the benefits and universal allowances that we could get.
Far from it. Such payments should only go to those in REAL NEED in the UK and not to anyone who believes as far too many do that they are " entitled ".
Sorry you are NOT.

You don't apply for it, if you receive a UK state pension, then you will receive the WFA

You do have to apply for it...
Winter Fuel Payment - you have not received it before | nidirect
http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/winter-fu...-bef...‎
Find out if you can claim Winter Fuel Payment, how to claim it and how much you can get. There's also information on what to do if there is a change in your ... www.nidirect.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment‎
Information for older people about claiming a tax-free Winter Fuel Payment...You are here:Pensions and retirement planning..All about benefits Benefits when you retire
Winter Fuel Payment

Winter Fuel Payment is a benefit paid to older people to help them keep warm in winter. Find out who can get it, how to get it and how much you can get. If you haven’t received it before, find out what you need to do.

Winter Fuel Payments for 2013/2014
The Winter Fuel Payment scheme for 2013/2014 is open. If you need to claim, you can apply from 1 August.

Being 62 and in work hardly puts you in the same league as an 80year old living on basic pension etc.
This is yet another reason where WFA is a nonsense.
It is just another example of the " claim anything I can society " whether I need it or not.