Not sure if anyone else on here is based in UK and dependant on benefits, but I have cerebellar Ataxia, have been wheelchair user for 11 years and getting really worried about this changes to the benefits. Under DLA system I'm on highest rate due to severity of disability and all the equipment i need to be independent. From next year they are halving the points a person will be awarded for needing aids and saying they will not pay more for someone needing what they consider to be 'low one off cost aids (though they gave the example of a £1,400 ceiling hoist as low cost!!! (i was thinking like electric can openers and adapted cutlery they maybe would consider low cost!)
I'm already having to pay Bedroom Tax as they count my DLA as income and will only give the discretionary grant for a couple of months if you are intending to move to 1 bed anyway. I've looked and there's no 1 bed flats adapted to my needs in this area anywhere.
Trying to reduce all bills would be a priority, electricity is my highest, the scooter and electric wheelchair need 12 hour charges and electrics gone up twice in last few months via BG (now at £55 a month). My thought was try and get an electric trike as they tend to use lithium batteries that only take 4-6hours to charge versus 12 and if I could pedal myself on downhill and flat (with dog pulling like bikejoring) might get a couple of days dog walks out of one charge. Other than sitting in the dark all winter with no TV or heating on there's not much else I can do to cut down energy bills, so its all about trying replace whatever I might need before they switch me and then trying to manage on what i get to cover BT, CT, food and insurance for dog.
I can't drive anyway so don't have car and taking my dogs out is my only bit of freedom as I'm mostly housebound and agoraphobic (crowded places, ok with empty field in village) What would you get now if you were expecting poverty within the next year?
Looking for things I might not have thought of?
Thanks
Prepping for Poverty???
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
Thats a lousy situation to be in Katilea.
The other half is disabled and its a constant struggle to keep up with the changes to the benefits system. Money is always a worry. And theres a lot I could say about the recent pushes though parliment....but as its against board policy..i'm saying nowt.
I try and strech and save money. First thing is bugeting...I tend to go month to month, working out how much money is coming in and how much is going out. I tend to buy in bulk where I can (not food) but things like toiletries...a 12 pack of TP is just under a fiver, a 2 pack is 2 quid so to buy 12 saves a quid long term.
I read all the packets, not trusting the size of the packet but the weight (and here is a intresing thing...a lot of the discount stores sell smaller or lighter packets of well known brands) but they look about the same size.
We shop at a large market once a week...we do eat meat but we buy off one of the few remaining butchers vans. and my job for a sunday afternoon is to cut and fill the freezer with meat. Same with fruit and veg, everthing is a pound a bag and seasonal. But it works out a lot cheaper than a supermarket shop (even Lidl and Aldi). Not practical when you don't have a veichle, but do you have acesses for one for lifts?
We garden and grow in the greenhouse-not always practical but I started with growing on a windowsill. Even herbs for flavoring 'blander' foods-like mint, thyme and chives...chives in scrabled eggs gives it a nice kick.
Facebook-for all its ills is pretty much the home of buy sell groups, freecycle groups and skills exchanges. And sites like moneysavingexpert and money supermarket can sometimes find deals for people in recipt of PIP/DLA - we get our electicity through a supplier called EBICO.
I put a small amout of money each week into a Credit Union Account...as a couple who had our credit ratings complety wiped out, We found a CU was the only place that would lend money at a reasonable amount of intrest ..not Payday loan rates.
Hope this helps
The other half is disabled and its a constant struggle to keep up with the changes to the benefits system. Money is always a worry. And theres a lot I could say about the recent pushes though parliment....but as its against board policy..i'm saying nowt.
I try and strech and save money. First thing is bugeting...I tend to go month to month, working out how much money is coming in and how much is going out. I tend to buy in bulk where I can (not food) but things like toiletries...a 12 pack of TP is just under a fiver, a 2 pack is 2 quid so to buy 12 saves a quid long term.
I read all the packets, not trusting the size of the packet but the weight (and here is a intresing thing...a lot of the discount stores sell smaller or lighter packets of well known brands) but they look about the same size.
We shop at a large market once a week...we do eat meat but we buy off one of the few remaining butchers vans. and my job for a sunday afternoon is to cut and fill the freezer with meat. Same with fruit and veg, everthing is a pound a bag and seasonal. But it works out a lot cheaper than a supermarket shop (even Lidl and Aldi). Not practical when you don't have a veichle, but do you have acesses for one for lifts?
We garden and grow in the greenhouse-not always practical but I started with growing on a windowsill. Even herbs for flavoring 'blander' foods-like mint, thyme and chives...chives in scrabled eggs gives it a nice kick.
Facebook-for all its ills is pretty much the home of buy sell groups, freecycle groups and skills exchanges. And sites like moneysavingexpert and money supermarket can sometimes find deals for people in recipt of PIP/DLA - we get our electicity through a supplier called EBICO.
I put a small amout of money each week into a Credit Union Account...as a couple who had our credit ratings complety wiped out, We found a CU was the only place that would lend money at a reasonable amount of intrest ..not Payday loan rates.
Hope this helps
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
I'd heard EBICO mentioned when people were saying who they were with for electric. I'd emailed Utility Warehouse to see if could get a deal with BB too but they haven't replied yet so not impressed with their customer services so far. Are EBICO pre-payment? At the minute I'd be worried about running out of electric especially with chairs and scooter needing 12 hours charge.Wales1 wrote:Thats a lousy situation to be in Katilea.
The other half is disabled and its a constant struggle to keep up with the changes to the benefits system. Money is always a worry. And theres a lot I could say about the recent pushes though parliment....but as its against board policy..i'm saying nowt.
I try and strech and save money. First thing is bugeting...I tend to go month to month, working out how much money is coming in and how much is going out. I tend to buy in bulk where I can (not food) but things like toiletries...a 12 pack of TP is just under a fiver, a 2 pack is 2 quid so to buy 12 saves a quid long term.
I read all the packets, not trusting the size of the packet but the weight (and here is a intresing thing...a lot of the discount stores sell smaller or lighter packets of well known brands) but they look about the same size.
We shop at a large market once a week...we do eat meat but we buy off one of the few remaining butchers vans. and my job for a sunday afternoon is to cut and fill the freezer with meat. Same with fruit and veg, everthing is a pound a bag and seasonal. But it works out a lot cheaper than a supermarket shop (even Lidl and Aldi). Not practical when you don't have a veichle, but do you have acesses for one for lifts?
We garden and grow in the greenhouse-not always practical but I started with growing on a windowsill. Even herbs for flavoring 'blander' foods-like mint, thyme and chives...chives in scrabled eggs gives it a nice kick.
Facebook-for all its ills is pretty much the home of buy sell groups, freecycle groups and skills exchanges. And sites like moneysavingexpert and money supermarket can sometimes find deals for people in recipt of PIP/DLA - we get our electicity through a supplier called EBICO.
I put a small amout of money each week into a Credit Union Account...as a couple who had our credit ratings complety wiped out, We found a CU was the only place that would lend money at a reasonable amount of intrest ..not Payday loan rates.
Hope this helps
I was also wondering if it be easier to get solar charger and it work with a lithium battery that only took 4 hours to charge rather than the huge batteries the scooter needs and a 12 hour charge? Then it maybe more doable to switch to a pre-payment meter if I could for example connect lithium battery on a trike to a solar charger and leave it in garden charging without it taking any electric from my meter allowance. Can also get folding trikes so if had to downsize in future wouldn't have to worry so much about whether I can fit a scooter in the hall and still get a chair round from room to room.
What is a Credit Union Account is that for savings or like putting money towards a catalogue (similar to those Park catalogue TV adverts to save up for following xmas catalogue?)
Thanks
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
Credit Unions explained here.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union
You can look for local ones if its something you're interested in. They seem like a great idea although I've never used them.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Credit_union
You can look for local ones if its something you're interested in. They seem like a great idea although I've never used them.
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
EBICO are both pre payment and quartley billing AFAIK....We are on pre payment meters they were installed when we moved into the place and its more expensive per unit. So long term I'd try and stay on the quartley billing if I were you.
Credit unions....you have to live in the area it covers. I think its because all account holders are technically shareholders. They used to be cash only with counters but my local one will do online payments. (Maybe they are all diffrent and I am just luckyasI have nothing b) I do know they are bound by the same rules as the banks and bulding societies so savings up to 65K HA! HA! are protected.
Credit unions....you have to live in the area it covers. I think its because all account holders are technically shareholders. They used to be cash only with counters but my local one will do online payments. (Maybe they are all diffrent and I am just luckyasI have nothing b) I do know they are bound by the same rules as the banks and bulding societies so savings up to 65K HA! HA! are protected.
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Alloneword
- Posts: 138
- Joined: Tue Jun 30, 2015 12:32 am
- Location: London
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
Hi Katilea, likewise i'm on benefit but just low care (DLA) but any day i know the brown envelope will hit the floor making me go to a PIP medical which will be intresting to say the least.
I'm going say one thing here which will go down like a sack of sh1t and that is stop paying any water bills, at the end of the day they cannot cut you of by law, and lets be honest it's not as if they need YOUR money is it? I know some will say it's unfair why should i pay when others don't and to a point they have a valid case, but in yours the money you save on water put towards something like gas or electric or something, my water comes from Thames and they have a scheme where if you need to use more water then most maybe you need half a dozen showers or something, my point is if you need to use more water for a medical condition then they will cap you payments, now that is water as for gas i doubt it but you may have some luck with electric.
My best advice would be to get C.A.B. involved they will even come to you if you can't get out and see what they say, also speak to local council they may have a benefits rights dept and give more info and finally see if there are any forums out there that deal with "cerebellar Ataxia" there may well be others in your shoes who can give you some more relevant info, but your right it's going to get a lot harder soon, i know a lady who is having her car taken away and her daughter wil in effect become a prisnor in her own home, but remember what DC said "Were all in this together"
All1
I'm going say one thing here which will go down like a sack of sh1t and that is stop paying any water bills, at the end of the day they cannot cut you of by law, and lets be honest it's not as if they need YOUR money is it? I know some will say it's unfair why should i pay when others don't and to a point they have a valid case, but in yours the money you save on water put towards something like gas or electric or something, my water comes from Thames and they have a scheme where if you need to use more water then most maybe you need half a dozen showers or something, my point is if you need to use more water for a medical condition then they will cap you payments, now that is water as for gas i doubt it but you may have some luck with electric.
My best advice would be to get C.A.B. involved they will even come to you if you can't get out and see what they say, also speak to local council they may have a benefits rights dept and give more info and finally see if there are any forums out there that deal with "cerebellar Ataxia" there may well be others in your shoes who can give you some more relevant info, but your right it's going to get a lot harder soon, i know a lady who is having her car taken away and her daughter wil in effect become a prisnor in her own home, but remember what DC said "Were all in this together"
All1
Please bear in mind i am prepping for the River Thames to flood and how i can get to safe ground, I'm not worried about the end of the world..... I'll die with the other Minions.
I can't trust Govt or local Council to help me so i have to help myself.
I can't trust Govt or local Council to help me so i have to help myself.
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preparedsurrey
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2014 9:33 pm
- Location: Area 3
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
Do not got onto a pre payment meter they are way more expensive and you will end up constantly running to the shops for a top up.
If guns are outlawed then only the outlaws will have guns....
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Jamesey1981
- Posts: 983
- Joined: Fri Sep 12, 2014 11:46 pm
- Location: A Postbox on Baker Street.
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
First thing, change your energy supplier, you're being ripped off, if you google "Martin's energy club" it'll give you a link to a section of money saving expert, you can put in the stuff from your bill and it'll find you the cheapest deal, most of them give some cash back for switching and it will also remember your usage and email you if you can save money, you get to specify how much of a saving it should be before it emails you.
I would advise against using Uswitch, they get paid by the energy companies and don't always give the best deal, often they do, but sometimes they don't.
Second, don't stop paying your water bill unless you have to, I have been pretty broke in the past, and although water companies are not allowed to cut off your access to water, they are allowed to switch your supply to a standpipe in the garden, as well as having the means to drag you through the courts over and over again. That would hardly be an improvement to your situation, water should be the first bill you don't pay if it does get to the point that you don't have a choice as the consequences for not paying are further away, but there are still consequences, otherwise no one would pay it.
Do contact the CAB though, in my experience they've always been incredibly useful, and they will be able to look over your finances and bills and see where you can negotiate to save money, and in some cases they can negotiate on your behalf.
I would advise against using Uswitch, they get paid by the energy companies and don't always give the best deal, often they do, but sometimes they don't.
Second, don't stop paying your water bill unless you have to, I have been pretty broke in the past, and although water companies are not allowed to cut off your access to water, they are allowed to switch your supply to a standpipe in the garden, as well as having the means to drag you through the courts over and over again. That would hardly be an improvement to your situation, water should be the first bill you don't pay if it does get to the point that you don't have a choice as the consequences for not paying are further away, but there are still consequences, otherwise no one would pay it.
Do contact the CAB though, in my experience they've always been incredibly useful, and they will be able to look over your finances and bills and see where you can negotiate to save money, and in some cases they can negotiate on your behalf.
That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die.
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
Mostly all been said really , but I second Money saving expert as a great site..... (especially now I am unemployed, just kicked off ESA as considered fit for some work, which was interesting as to claim UC you have to be fit for all work)
Food.... well I am lucky , a local meat factory has a factory shop 5 mins down the road, 50p for a chuck etc , so fill the freezer up once a month...
and yep I buy in bulk usually Aldi these days, but its worth checking the prices as tesco/asda etc can be cheaper for some things..........
And my top tip............I also got hammered by the bedroom tax, the fact that my lass stays with me 50% of the time makes no difference, but means i cant downgrade, but not worth it anyhow as I am in a new build and used the moneysavingexpert energy club to switch and only pay £30 pm for gas and leccy as the place is so efficient, so any money saved on rent I would probably lose on increased energy costs in an older building....
Anyhoo , I saw IDS
going on about things in place for people who struggle , so applied to my local councils hardship fund and lo and behold got help with the bedroom tax, £18 a week , you have to reapply but it does help.......
Also google "warm front grant" , got £150 off my yearly cost off British Gas in Jan...
And this wont help many but worked for me , I used British Gas's find their best tariff feature three times last year, which although it could not save me any money (came up zero savings) , gave me the option of swapping to a new fix and reward tariff (with a later date each time, IE jan 16 then june 16 then nov 16) ,,the reward bit being a £50 Amazon voucher (so £150 last year) ......
Pretty sure they came close to paying me for using them this last year...........
Good site http://www.hotukdeals.com/
Food.... well I am lucky , a local meat factory has a factory shop 5 mins down the road, 50p for a chuck etc , so fill the freezer up once a month...
and yep I buy in bulk usually Aldi these days, but its worth checking the prices as tesco/asda etc can be cheaper for some things..........
And my top tip............I also got hammered by the bedroom tax, the fact that my lass stays with me 50% of the time makes no difference, but means i cant downgrade, but not worth it anyhow as I am in a new build and used the moneysavingexpert energy club to switch and only pay £30 pm for gas and leccy as the place is so efficient, so any money saved on rent I would probably lose on increased energy costs in an older building....
Anyhoo , I saw IDS
going on about things in place for people who struggle , so applied to my local councils hardship fund and lo and behold got help with the bedroom tax, £18 a week , you have to reapply but it does help.......Also google "warm front grant" , got £150 off my yearly cost off British Gas in Jan...
And this wont help many but worked for me , I used British Gas's find their best tariff feature three times last year, which although it could not save me any money (came up zero savings) , gave me the option of swapping to a new fix and reward tariff (with a later date each time, IE jan 16 then june 16 then nov 16) ,,the reward bit being a £50 Amazon voucher (so £150 last year)
......Pretty sure they came close to paying me for using them this last year...........
Good site http://www.hotukdeals.com/
Re: Prepping for Poverty???
British Gas have put mine up twice in 2 months. I haven't had heaters on since they put it up the first time to £48 a month just for electric and now they put it up again to £55 so I've no idea whats using so much energy unless its the fridge freezer where there's a split in the fridge seal on the door?
They put me on the Fix and Fall thing to March 2016 and was told it wouldn't go up only down if gas prices dropped! I'll have to email them Monday and ask them to work out how much I will owe when they've added the £140 discount as I'll be switching.
They put me on the Fix and Fall thing to March 2016 and was told it wouldn't go up only down if gas prices dropped! I'll have to email them Monday and ask them to work out how much I will owe when they've added the £140 discount as I'll be switching.