UK Winter Fuel Allowance

[MustaphaP]

Although I´m not at retirement age yet, I know a few expat pensioners in the village - some can and do claim their Winter Fuel allowance from the UK, and some can´t. I just wondered what the general consensus was ? : Should Expat Pensioners be entitled to claim or not ?

[MrGrumpy]

Why not ? I think anyone should be entitled to claim from the system what they have contributed to and are entitled to

[MarionBruce]

I think that the benefit should go to those who need it the most - wherever they may live - and that it should be means tested.

[walkingonsunshine]

We should be able to claim it, but can't unless we were already claiming it before leaving the UK. My husband claims it, but I'm not old enough to claim it yet, and seeing as we are now resident here I will never be able to claim, so if I'm ever a widow the entitlement will stop. I've worked all my life paid my contributions, and think I should be entitled to it.

[OldTimer]

After working and paying my contributions in the UK for 42 years I feel no shame in claiming my winter Fuel Allowance now that I have moved to Spain. People in the UK forget that it gets bloody cold here in winter - especially when we don´t have carpet, central heating and cavity wall insulation !

[ZedFed]

Expats should forego the right to any benefits from their country of origin as soon as they turn their backs. Especially for a benefit payment like winter fuel that should really go to those that need it most.

[AJC]

We should be able to claim it, but can't unless we were already claiming it before leaving the UK. My husband claims it, but I'm not old enough to claim it yet, and seeing as we are now resident here I will never be able to claim, so if I'm ever a widow the entitlement will stop. I've worked all my life paid my contributions, and think I should be entitled to it.

This is a typical situation for so many of us living in Spain. And whenever we dare to complain at this being unfair, we get some friendless nobody in the UK telling us how we shouldn´t need it because it is so hot here in Spain - all year round !

[Vetxpat]

I'm a way off being able to claim any kind of pension or benefit myself (and hope that there is something left in the pot by the time that I come of age !), however I have no problem at all with anybody making such a claim - Providing they have contributed into the system in the first place.
Years ago it was popular for many pensioners to spend months at a time abroad over the colder months of the year, and there was never any mention of this invalidating their entitlement.

[OldTimer]

Anyone any idea what form these so-called "Tests" that everyone has been talking about this week are likely to be in ?
>> http://www.tumbit.com/news/articles/594 ... xpats.html ?