What are 'essentials'

whistles
whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
edited April 2018 in Coffee lounge
Can't sleep so.

Just nosing on one of the government websites about sanctions- I remembered about the I Daniel Blake film and it brought this up.


Help if your payment is stopped or reduced

You can ask for a hardship payment if you can’t pay for rent, heating, food or hygiene needs because you got a sanction. You’ll repay it through your Universal Credit payments - they’ll be lower until you pay it back.

You must be 18 or over.


You’ll have to show that you’ve tried to:

  • find the money from somewhere else
  • only spend money on essentials


It doesn't say what essentials actually are does it, but isn't it a tad insulting if they cut your money and then dictate where you spend it?
The money somewhere else, begging off friends or family I presume. 
And because its linked to the rent element, stopping it might effectively stops your rent. Hasn't anyone high up not thought that's a really **** idea! If there is one thing I think is a bad idea about UC, it's that.

I've turned off the heating because what I get now to live on it needs to be only when its 'essential'. But according to this they will give you a hardship payment. So how many of us live in hardship already. 

Pointless thread. Can't sleep.  :)
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  • [Deleted User]
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  • debbiedo49
    debbiedo49 Online Community Member Posts: 2,890 Championing
    Is this real or just a fantasy?
  • debbiedo49
    debbiedo49 Online Community Member Posts: 2,890 Championing
    Essentials are usually the basics range for shopping or what I need in my bag every time I go out.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,730 Contributor
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  • debbiedo49
    debbiedo49 Online Community Member Posts: 2,890 Championing
    What I mean is, is this a word game lol?
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  • debbiedo49
    debbiedo49 Online Community Member Posts: 2,890 Championing
    Ttfn
  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
    debbiedo49 said:
    What I mean is, is this a word game lol?
    No its real. 
    That's actually what the gov. site says.
  • susan48
    susan48 Online Community Member Posts: 2,213 Championing
     :D 

    your all sooo funny.

    id say that what  debbiedo49 said:
    Essentials are usually the basics range for shopping or what I need in my bag every time I go out.
    Is correct, my lists for essentials are always the same

    and I’m sure @whistles would agree that heating and lighting, are basis essentials
  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
    It doesn't appear to include clothes. 
    Hygiene essentials. Sanitary and poop paper. 

    Food, but needs to be pre packaged for me. Some might see that as a luxury, but I can't cook.
  • susan48
    susan48 Online Community Member Posts: 2,213 Championing
    Is heating not an essential??
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 1,730 Contributor
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  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
    susan48 said:
    Is heating not an essential??
    Yes it is.
    But I've turned it off as I won't be able to afford to use what I was.
  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
    Victoriad said:
    Or a cardboard cut out of Paul Hollywood in his chefs whites ( man in uniform for @whistles )

    Pilot uniform. Then we'll chat. 
  • susan48
    susan48 Online Community Member Posts: 2,213 Championing
    I too have been really cautious with heating, even when the beast from the east was here i was wrapped up with layers, 2pairs of socks, blankets etc.
    It awful in this day and ages people are cold and hungry  :(
  • whistles
    whistles Online Community Member Posts: 2,034 Championing
    This is what I don't get. It's 2018.

    Are these utility companies actually over charging? They know you need the service.

    I don't think I will ever be well enough to go back to work, so it's a live of checking the prices. I feel like a pensioner already!

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