energy bills on uc

vulcan56

hi. im 64 yrs old with health conditions my next energy bill will be £200 for the month yet i only get £75 a week uc. to live on so that leaves £100 a month for internet; water; council tax; food; bus fairs; clothes,ect  it won't stretch that far. shall i just end it.

vulcan56

oh forgot and £12 a month bus fairs to to the job centre.

calcotti

If you are not already claiming it you are likely to be able to claim Council Tax Reduction from your local authority which would help with your Council Tax (although in most local authorities it doesn’t cover all of it).

poppy123456

woodbine said:

Have you checked you are getting all the benefits you should be getting?

https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/survey/1/a71cafd6-ac9d-4d66-9b7c-e35f96b4b7bc

OP is claiming UC which has replaced all other benefits and the only one left to claim is Council tax reduction, advised by calcotti.

Of course there's also PIP but a benefits calculator wouldn't show entitlement to this because it's a disability benefit.

calcotti

OP, if you have any health problems affecting your ability to work have you ever had a Work Capability Assessment?

poppy123456

calcotti said:

OP, if you have any health problems affecting your ability to work have you ever had a Work Capability Assessment?

Another thread suggests OP is currently waiting for their WCA. https://forum.scope.org.uk/discussion/89943/got-to-go-to-jobcentre-weekly-on-sick#latest

calcotti

Thanks for highlighting, poppy.

Alex_Alumni

Hello @vulcan56 something which might be able to help with energy bills is the Disability Energy Support Service from Scope.

Support with your energy and water needs

Our expert advisers can help and talk you through a wide range of topics related to your energy and water needs, including:

• managing energy and water debt
• changing your meter
• energy and water efficiency
• accessing benefits, grants, and trusts
• free fuel vouchers (conditions apply)
• contacting or complaining to your supplier
• understanding your gas and electricity bills
• understanding how to use your heating systems
• support registering with the Priority Services Register

Please bear in mind that the service is experiencing high demand for telephone appointments, but do reach out if you feel we can support you.

I hope our members been able to help reassure you as well, but if there's anything you're still unsure of, please do let us know.

Alex

janer1967

Hi 

How much has your energy bill increased by ? 

If it is more than the 54% cap then I would challenge the increase with your supplier 

Emma52

I live in a Council house and my water lumped in with my rent. It is a set amount and I am in receipt of housing benefit. Is there any help for those in my position. 

poppy123456

Emma52 said:

I live in a Council house and my water lumped in with my rent. It is a set amount and I am in receipt of housing benefit. Is there any help for those in my position. 

As the thread is related to energy bills i assume your question is related to this. The Government are giving everyone named on an energy account £66/67/month from Oct to March 2023. How you receive this will depend on your energy supplier. Some are paying it straight onto their energy account and reducing their monthly DD.

There's also the Warm Home Discount of £150, if you're entitled. Details here. https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/environmental-and-social-schemes/warm-home-discount-whd

If you were 66 between 19th to 25th September there's also the Winter Fuel Payment. https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment/how-much-youll-get

Emma52

HI Poppy, I was asking if there was any help for people with water charges when the charges are put together with Council rent. This was prompted by the face book/scope enquiry for disabled people who would like help with water charges. Hope this clarified things for you. Let's face it any help at the moment is appreciated.

L_Volunteer

I agree @Emma52 - any help at the moment is appreciated. Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything else to support you 

L_Volunteer

Hi @vulcan56. I can see your thread has received quite a few responses now!

Do you feel these responses have provided you with the support you were looking for? Please don't hesitate to let us know if we can do anything else to support you.

We are all here for you and listening to you. You don't have to face this, or anything else, alone if you don't want to.

Take care for now and we will look forward to, hopefully, hearing from you again soon 

durhamjaide2001

You might  be able to claim other benefits as well