Cold weather payments. These are not now paid to all pensioners, only to those on pension credit. I have asked at Job Centre Plus (who it seems deal with this), and searches on the internet reveal the same answer. NO COLD WEATHER PAYMENT.

Apparently, legislation was passed in late 2006 to stop cold weather payments to pensioners (not on pension credit). Now they are available only to those receiving pension credit and to others on benefits. There is also provision for certain health problems.

Interest received by pensioners is now negligible and many are struggling, as you know, to pay their bills. Of course this wretched Government will say get rid of your savings and then you too can claim. What they don’t tell me is who will pay if my central heating breaks down? Who will pay if my roof springs a leak? Who will pay if my sewage system stops working? Certainly not this Government. I know that the answer will always be sell up and use the equity to live on. How long will that last?

Certainly not as long as I intend to live. Anyway, why should we? We have worked and saved for our ‘old age’. We expected that our frugality during our working life would certainly allow us holidays and treats during our retirement. Does it heck! I begin to feel that blowing everything and relying on state handouts would be much less of a worry, but independence (and pride I suppose), which many of this war time generation cherish, stops us short of this.

My advice to the young of today would be don’t bother to think of your future, anything you plan or save for will put you at a disadvantage. There are those who receive state benefits now who did try to provide for the future, but many have been feckless all their lives and are financially better off than those of us who have made provision and taken responsibility for ourselves.

Information for readers from the Government website: 

Who is eligible for cold weather payments?

You may be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each week of very cold weather in your area if you get Pension Credit.

You may also be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment for each qualifying week if you are getting Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and have a child under five or get one of the following:

• a pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium or enhanced pensioner premium

• a disability premium or severe disability premium

• a disabled child premium

• Child Tax Credit that includes an individual element for a child or qualifying young person who is disabled or severely disabled.

How much do you get?

This year you will get £25 when the average temperature where you live is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days during the period from 1 November to 31 March. Specified Meteorological Office weather stations are used to obtain this information.

How to apply

You don't need to apply; you'll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically as long as you qualify.

Tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus if you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but you have not had one.