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[oldfogy]

If you have kids then you qualify.
If you are one of the many people in need of a little extra cash during the winter period (without kids) then forget it.

So now on top of family allowance, free school meals and probably Housing benefit which included Council tax.
Here, have another £150


http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/10/gordonbrown.labour?gusrc=rss&feed=networkfront

 

[kitz]

'No, a fuel rebate for everybody on child benefit.'"

Thats a weird one..  surely that means anyone with a child... even if they have a large income.

Surely it should be means tested?   
Not being funny, but something that does annoy me about this country is that sometimes some things dont make sense on whom they give additional benefits to. 
I know a couple of years ago when I was quite poorly I tried to see if I could get any help, but because I have a private income that comes from something I paid into for many years I couldnt get any help.   Yet if I hadnt had income from this other source I actually would have been financially better off on benefits!!! as they then would have paid for such things as my mortgage, kims school dinners, uniforms etc etc etc.
Even the lady I spoke to at the DSS said it was crazy that I was caught in this trap. 

[dave.m]

When I first became seriously ill in 2005, all I got was basic sick pay. I was told that I would get Disability Living Allowance because of what I was suffering with but that would take three months to get a decision and get sorted. In the mean time I had to kick start a couple of private pensions to live on. Then when I was awarded DLA and it was back dated, we found that we could manage without the pensions but could not postpone them, so, ruddy typical when we asked for Council Tax Benefit or anything else, we were over the limit because I was being paid these two small pensions.
If we could have lived for three months without them we could have claimed all sorts of rebates.
I wish I had not joined these private pension schemes when I worked and just put the money into an ISA or something.
Could have withdrawn them and put it under the matress before making a claim and got a bit back of what I have paid in over the years.
dave

[roseway]

In this country we don't reward people who save money.

[oldfogy]

Some years ago when I was self employed, I broke my ankle (which was a very bad brake) and I could not work, so being a house owner applied for help with the mortgage while I was of sick.

Unfortunately five years before that I taken a re-mortgage on the the property (which is classed in law as a further loan) so that part therefor is not recognised, so I was only eligible for 50% assistance with the mortgage repayments.
Needless to say it was not long before, myself and building society were having words concerning the arrears that were mounting up, so I was forced to sell the property.

At the time my full mortgage payment was in the region of £91pm (very old property which was purchased at the right time very cheaply).
So I moved into a private rented property with a rent of £180pm which the benefits department paid for without any quibbles whatsoever.

I ask you, where is the logic.?

(I know we use the word mortgage payments on a daily basis, although it's only the interest on the mortgage that you/we actually pay or get help with, so the word "Mortgage" is only used figuratively)

[oldfogy]

In this country we don't reward people who save money.

Quite true, but if you believe all the hype from the government with all their various savings plans.
But then reality steps in when you either need it or retire.

(Although you are allowed to have a certain amount of savings, which used to be £3,000 but "I believe" this has been increased up-to £5,000) before any deductions are made on a £ for £ basis.

[UncleUB]

That is disgusting,once again people who are well off with kids will get it when they don't actually need and people without children on low income will once again be left out.I thought Labour was suppose to be for the working classes,not the middle and upper classes.
So if this does go through all it will mean in a lot of cases is more beer and cigarette money for the layabouts who won't have work.Like the winter fuel allowance it will be paid in a cash amount rather than being directly put towards your energy bills.
Getting back to what Dave.m said about benefits.My dad paid into a works pension all his working life and because of this he could get nothing in any form of benefit.The old lady who lived in the same block as my dad had never worked all her life and he worked it out that he was £5 a week better off than she was.All those years of contributing for a fiver. 
The thing with private pension is either have a big one or don't bother,put your money into a savings scheme ,keep it under the goverment limit and claim counciltax/housing benefit and anything else you are entitled to 

[Floydoid]

I sense a desperate prime minister who is desperate for our votes.

[UncleUB]

I sense a desperate prime minister who has no chance of my vote.

[chrissie]

I sense a desperate prime minister who has no chance of my vote.

Too darned well true!!!      Can't tell you what words of abuse I hurled at the (old and nearly conked out) television when I heard this news.... sufficient to say that being a ladyeeee I daresn't repeat them on 'ere!  I will refrain from hurling abuse here too but you can bet ya.... I know where I'd go to round up the ******ds who think up these schemes and dangle them over the edge of some mountain.... just for pleasure of course - ALL MINE!!   

Chrissie

[Floydoid]

I sense a desperate prime minister who has no chance of my vote.

In 2005 I didn't vote Labour for the first time in my life, and I doubt I ever will again.

[chrissie]

I sense a desperate prime minister who has no chance of my vote.

In 2005 I didn't vote Labour for the first time in my life, and I doubt I ever will again.

Yay to that    sometimes it does take a while to see sense 

[scottiesmum]

I found your post quite sad Floydy ... although I've never been a Labour supporter myself,  I respect those who fervently believe in 'their own  cause'   .... it's a pity for all those faithful  that  New Labour don't hold with their socialist principles any longer  .....   Mr. Blair  (the smiling assassin  as I call him) wanted to appeal to middle England, imho, for his own  long term ends,  and so all the hard fought for policies went out with the bath water.   I'm sure there are thousands of disillusioned 'Labour' voters who must now wonder which route to take.

[Accordion]

This 'windfall', as I understand it, is only hearsay - overheard on a train. It isn't policy yet.

But, the rules, red tape and general bureaucracy that prevented OF from getting help and screwed up t'other Dave's pension etc, is justy so frustrating. I know there needs to be procedures and guidelines, but not when it amounts to throwing common sense out of the window!!

[Floydoid]

Kate, I have never given up my socialist principles, but these days it seems the Labour party has... I find myself more in tune with the Liberals for now.