Age UK Isle of Wight is calling on local residents who haven’t yet needed to use their Winter Fuel Payment to consider donating it, or some of it, to help them support the Island’s most isolated and lonely older people. The annual, tax-free payment is automatically received by individuals born before 25th September 1957, regardless of their financial circumstances. Instead of letting it go unused, Islanders are being encouraged to make a difference by donating it to the local independent charity’s Spread The Warmth campaign. The funds raised through these donations will be utilised to provide essential support services, from ensuring access to warm clothing to facilitating social activities and companionship. Maria Bunce, Chief Officer at Age UK Isle of Wight, says:
“We understand that not everyone requires their winter fuel payment immediately, and we encourage those who are in the fortunate position to do so, to consider donating it to support our most vulnerable older residents. “By spreading your warmth, you can make a real difference in the lives of those who may be feeling isolated and alone during this challenging time of year.”
The Spread The Warmth campaign will run until the end of March 2024. For further information visit www.ageuk.org.uk/isleofwight/get-involved/spread-the-warmth or call 01983 525282.
Some , Some of these people who receive this hand out are better off than people working and they are such a greedy breed they would not donate anything left over to Age UK which are a brilliant charity ,or give it back so that maybe some less fortunate could benefit
Speak for yourself, Steph.
Why donate it as it will go to people who claim benefits and never worked a day in their lives and have enough money for top of the range phones,tvs etc
Because Age UK give handouts to people like that, right?
Maybe actually read the article before posting in future.
And that goes for the knee-jerk up voters, too.
I know people who have reached retirement age having not worked a day in their lives and are getting a full state pension help to pay for gas, rent, electricity,water and council tax etc and plead poverty all the time. They would be first in line for any further handouts so don’t tell people who have worked all their lives and saved for private pensions that they should donate their winter fuel payment to people who haven’t
Quite so, I don’t understand why this and also family allowance aren’t means tested ? Why should someone with half a million in the bank be getting this money ? .
Agree..or it should be given out by means testing like all other benefits..or even better make utilities reduce prices.
This benefit really needs to be means tested. Absolutely no reason why someone living off a large pension in fully owned home should get a freebie like this.
Particularly when disabled people and those on low pay are so discrimination against and have to jump through multiple hoops to claim a penny.
But, then, this Government knows it’s core voter base, doesn’t it? A young family struggling to keep a roof over their heads are never going to vote Tory, are they? Why bother helping them?
Those that don’t work and have lived their entire lives on benefits,shouldn’t be getting anything at all, ever and be left in the street homeless and hungry – why should we pay for their laziness.
Yet we put Migrants in 5 Star Hotels, maybe you will be down on your luck
one day and end up on the cold unsafe streets!
Let the Pensioners enjoy their allowance, majority of them have paid
into the system all their lives.
The question is why are the govt handing out money to people who don’t actually need it.
Because there are many bucking the system and lying about their situation.
Ask for a freedom of information request and you will see that Age UK has given money to the prisons to benefit the sec offenders and rapists.