[happyhippy]

OK then, let's look at it a different way. Can anyone see a trigger point whereby a new assessment wouldn't be needed?

If so, or if not, can anyone think of a point where an award could be given, without an assessment, which would be fair?

I'm not sure if the Special Rules passport to a WFA at the moment, but that might be one extreme version.

I don't want to limit it to benefits, or even local authority help. Any point which could be reasonably argued.

[Merlina]

Originally Posted by TYPS

Again this is what i mean about going round in Circles we seem to be stuck in a bit of rut!

I'm inclined to agree with TY on this, we are merrily going round in circles with this and not really getting anywhere!!!

And with the greatest respect HH, I'm inclined to think you are contributing to the problem by taking some of what has been said out of context.

The ability of disabled people to work or not, is not the issue here, but the availability of a allowance for those in society who because of their ilnesses, need help with additional heating costs.

I think espedrille had a valid point in so much as elderly people are granted free bus passes, as are disabled people.....but the same does not apply to the WFA.....it does seem to smack a little of double standards!

[TYPS]

Thanks Merlina!

No offence intended to HH you have some good points and it’s never easy playing devils advocate (although it can be fun)

[happyhippy]

Originally Posted by Merlina

I'm inclined to agree with TY on this, we are merrily going round in circles with this and not really getting anywhere!!!

And with the greatest respect HH, I'm inclined to think you are contributing to the problem by taking some of what has been said out of context.

The ability of disabled people to work or not, is not the issue here, but the availability of a allowance for those in society who because of their ilnesses, need help with additional heating costs.

I think espedrille had a valid point in so much as elderly people are granted free bus passes, as are disabled people.....but the same does not apply to the WFA.....it does seem to smack a little of double standards!

I don't think it was out of context at all, as espadrille's point was based on an inability to find work, not disability. There are many healthy people who face the same problem. There still isn't a valid explanation from anyone to explain why there should be a difference between two younger, physically healthy people with regard to WFA.

I've said several times over that I do think it's worth looking at, but focusing on employment status, as you agree, is wrong.

By the same token, there are many younger disabled people who would have no need for an allowance.

So there must be an assessment. I'm uncomfortable about incorporating this into DLA, as we all know that there are many people who are disabled who don't receive DLA for a multitude of reasons from poor decision making at the DCS to total confusion over the form itself.

Another thing to consider is the qualifying period. As things stand at the moment, the WFA is age related, for reasons I've already outlined. Granted, this could include people who don't need a WFA, but in the main, I think it's generally accepted that most will.

Even so, people have to be a certain age by a specific date in the year to qualify. Few have to claim the WFA, as most by the qualifying date will be in receipt of a qualifying benefit. How do we avoid people having to claim every year, with the same kerfuffle?

What about people who are working, yet have to be kept warmer? They're going to have to go through the same thing too, especially if they're not in receipt of DLA, say? Even if there were to be a blanket 'marker' on Government systems, these people could fall through the net.

There are so many more variables with younger people with disabilities which need to be looked at. This can't realistically be done by putting a blanket over everyone who has a disability.

[happyhippy]

Come on! I didn't wan't to stifle this, but if there's going to be a push (which I think is right) we need to think of how it can be done!

Tell us all who should receive a WFA without thinking about current laws. How about one week where we put our ideas together with no arguments, starting from the first suggestion, and then we discuss it again?

[HelenaC]

Just to lighten the mood of this dicussion thought I would share this with you,

I was in the post office behind an elderly couple who were drawing out their pensions, their WFA had just gone in, it made me smile when they took their money and said " thats our spending money for Tenerife until we come home in March!"

Great way to keep warm I guess, god bless em

[Merlina]

Bearing in mind the recent cold weather, I thought I'd bring this Thread 'out of hibernation' and ask again, if anyone has an opinion about making the WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE available to disabled people, as well as the elderly.

Opinions Please.....................

[Vulcan B2]

Originally Posted by Merlina

Bearing in mind the recent cold weather, I thought I'd bring this Thread 'out of hibernation' and ask again, if anyone has an opinion about making the WINTER FUEL ALLOWANCE available to disabled people, as well as the elderly.

Opinions Please.....................

Yes, it should be available to the disabled. Also, the government should pull their fingers out of their backsides, find their <removed> and demand that the energy companies stop ripping everyone off!

[duckweed]

I think the elderly should have enough money so they don't have to hope they get an extra degree of cold to trigger a payment. I think perhaps benefits for those with disabillities could be targeted according to physical need. That is people with circulatory problems arthritis etc. That is people whose specific condition requires more than average heating. You have it regards the mobility component so surely you can do it regards heating or other extra energy requirements due to disabillity. This waiting to see if the government will throw some money our way is both stressful and demeaning.

[richards394]

Originally Posted by happyhippy

I'd imagine it's because it's generally accepted that the elderly (whether disabled or not) will often need to be kept warmer than younger people (whether disabled or not).

Playing Devil's Advocate, to some extent, there are many elderly people who need to have the heating on regularly but don't receive a top-up such as AA to their pension to help further with fuel bills.

Some younger people who do receive DLA may not need to be kept as warm; the blind, the deaf, for example.

Probably a more pertinent point is that you'll never stop being elderly (apart from .....), but you may stop being 'legally' disabled. DLA awards (the only way that I could really see such a scheme working in tandem with) aren't always for long terms, and even then if they're fixed terms, it's unlikely to be a higher care award.

That's my Devil's Advocate bit for now, but how would people decide exactly which disabled people would receive an allowance? Tell me!

i am 42 and receive the high rate of both parts of dla,i have a severe heart condition and yes i have the heating on all the time now as i feel the cold more than my parents,i have dla for life,but i can not get help with fuel allowance,i don't even qualify for British gas essentials tariff because apparently i earn over twenty two thousand a year,as they take everything into account like housing benefit council tax benefit dla child benefit income support and child tax credit,so i have to pay the standard tariff which apparently is the dearest,some thing not right there,but who in government really cares,my moaning finished sorry