03.01.13
Putting out the fires
A new report by the Centre Forum is calling for winter fuel payments for the elderly to be restricted, with the money saved helping to fund implementation of the Dilnot recommendations.
Getting the funding mechanism right is a vital part of the social care puzzle, and means-testing benefits, so that only those who really need financial help receive it, could be an answer.
For the richest of pensioners the move will make little difference, and the poorest will have their payments protected. But what about the squeezed middle? Limiting winter fuel benefits to only those receiving would mean around three-quarters of current recipients losing out.
Not all of those will be the wealthy, or even the comfortable, and it could affect some pensioners ability to pay for the most basic of necessities.
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