Am I entitled to extra help....

PalsyP
PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
edited August 2022 in Benefits and income
I understand many are in the same situation. I already have Disability Living Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance benefits - however, I would like to seek advice so I can find out if I'm entitled to any more benefits/help - my cost of living isn't that stable due to rising costs - my energy bills have tripled and my benefits will not cover the bills - I'll be in debt, never have been in debt in my life.

I have done benefits calculators, and all it tells me is that I could be better off on Universal Credit, which, as far as I can read, I will lose my housing and council tax benefits, then I have to pay out of the Universal Credit. Am I correct? I rather not do that. The calculator(s) didn't even ask about my living expenses, like, what I spend on bills.

My utility supplier wants me to pay over £200/m (from £80/m) - even though that could be an estimate on my new contract, it's scary - I will never afford that,. I opted for a fixed contract, but I can't help to think if my decision to go fixed (even though the cheapest) has stuffed me - since my contract started, my smart meter states I am using an average 490Watts at 25p/h, before it was 7p/h (still fixed contract)!

I already tried my council's social services - they say they are unable to assist and advised me to contact Citizens Advice, which I did email weeks ago, but had no reply - besides, they don't do face-to-face anymore. Also, as I'm mute, using the phone with RelayUK takes ages as it is.

I tried Scope's Disability Energy Support and their Helpline, but all they say is "be more energy efficient" and "complete the benefits calculator", and ask here! 

I'm going around in circles.

Thank you for your time reading. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
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Comments

  • Alex_Alumni
    Alex_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 7,538 Championing
    I'm so sorry to hear that you're going round in circles @PalsyP and I understand how frustrating that must feel. 

    I've marked your post as unanswered for the time being, so that our members can more easily share their thoughts with you :) 

    I also know @Sue_Scope will be in this week, and may be able to help advise you as well. 
  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,001 Championing
    edited August 2022
    PalsyP said:
    I have done benefits calculators, and all it tells me is that I could be better off on Universal Credit, which, as far as I can read, I will lose my housing and council tax benefits, then I have to pay out of the Universal Credit.
    UC would include help with rent instead of Housing Benefit. 
    The Council Tax Reduction would remain (but may be calculated on a basis).
    PalsyP said:
    The calculator(s) didn't even ask about my living expenses, like, what I spend on bills.
    Benefits do not take into your expenditure (other than rent and council tax).
  • racyguy
    racyguy Online Community Member Posts: 560 Empowering
    calcotti said:
    PalsyP said:
    The calculator(s) didn't even ask about my living expenses, like, what I spend on bills.
    Benefits do not take into your expenditure (other than rent and council tax).
    I am amazed that some people would even think that their normal day to day living costs would be taken into account when setting what amount of benefits they should be receiving.
    It's quite simple you either have to live within the confines of what you receive or go into debt. I'm in the latter category for the first time in my 79 years of life. I certainly don't expect the government to give me a bit more so that I can balance the books.
  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    edited August 2022
    racyguy said:
     I certainly don't expect the government to give me a bit more so that I can balance the books.
    ... and I didn't expect my utility bill to go up 3 times as much...You're 79 and I expect are not into what I'm into, assume you just sit on your chair all day....... I'm only 48, I do not go out, unable to work - you know - I must have some luxuries in my life other than essential bills otherwise my mental health will be more than it is.
  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    It can certainly be really tough @PalsyP, especially with the rising costs :( Many people are finding themselves in the same position as you. I know that doesn't make the worry go away, but I wanted to reassure you that you're not the only one who's wondering how they'll be able to make ends meet.

    Did you receive the government's first cost of living payment?
  • janer1967
    janer1967 Online Community Member Posts: 21,922 Championing
    @PalsyP I would challenge the increase in your energy bill as that is way above the expected increase 

    Public have been advised to report to ofgen any increase over 100%

  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    I understand everyone is in the same boat, and I apologise if I offended anyone.

    The government can chuck money at people as much as they like, but it won't fix the real problem... While the companies boast about profits...

    I will call the energy supplier this week...... I wanted to see if other companies offered cheaper but these comparison sites had removed the "energy" comparisons when my contract was ending - so I thought I'd stick with my current supplier...

  • Tori_Scope
    Tori_Scope Scope Posts: 12,464 Championing
    The government can chuck money at people as much as they like, but it won't fix the real problem... While the companies boast about profits...
    I'd tend to agree with this @PalsyP. It feels like a bit of a band aid over a gaping wound.

    Let us know how you get on with your energy supplier! And yes, I don't think that the comparison websites are providing this service at the moment. 
  • racyguy
    racyguy Online Community Member Posts: 560 Empowering
    PalsyP said:
    racyguy said:
     I certainly don't expect the government to give me a bit more so that I can balance the books.
    ... and I didn't expect my utility bill to go up 3 times as much...You're 79 and I expect are not into what I'm into, assume you just sit on your chair all day....... I'm only 48, I do not go out, unable to work - you know - I must have some luxuries in my life other than essential bills otherwise my mental health will be more than it is.
    My utility cost went from £62 a month (it was a fixed charge that finished in June this year) Then it went up to £235 a month from last month (variable rate). In October it is likely that it will go up to just under £360 a month. Whilst the estimated current capped annual bill is around £1950 I am paying £2820.
    I got rid of the car because it was one expense that we could no longer afford. We don't go out, Our life revolves around the TV (we had to cancel Sky as well). We do have a small back garden which takes up most of our day time.
    Why must you have some luxuries? In today's world life should be all about just trying to exist. 
  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    edited August 2022
    racyguy said:
    I got rid of the car because it was one expense that we could no longer afford. We don't go out, Our life revolves around the TV (we had to cancel Sky as well). We do have a small back garden which takes up most of our day time.
    Why must you have some luxuries? In today's world life should be all about just trying to exist. 
    Why must have I luxuries? Let me tell you.... I am an online DJ, I stream on Twitch, which helps me to cope with my mental health. If I had no internet, fast internet at that, I couldn't do it... I am a football fan, so I have NowTV Sports online - even though my team isn't on every week. When they are not on "TV", I stream the games illegally - however, illegal streams go down a lot, but it's free.... So, NowTV is a luxury, I agree - if worst comes to the worst, I will cancel it and illegal stream every game.. I have the cheapest Sky package. When I want to watch a film, I illegally download it... Are you saying I should give that all up?

    Tell me, is life insurance, home insurance, pet insurance (3 cats, 2 insured), and TV licence luxuries?  

    If you are content with only TV, fair play.
  • Sue_Alumni
    Sue_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 484 Empowering

    Good afternoon @PalsyP

    Thank you for your post and welcome to the online community.  It sounds as if you’re doing everything you can,  The first thing you can do is to check that you are receiving everything you’re entitled to.

    You asked whether you would be better off claiming UC

    It is impossible for me to give benefit advice without details of your household and circumstances

    You mentioned that a benefits calculator had shown that you would be better off on UC.  You might be as the LCWRA element is higher in UC than ESA. However as explained here there are other matters to be taken into account when deciding whether to move to UC.

    I appreciate that it is of little comfort to know that we are  hearing from so many people daily who are struggling as a result of the cost of living crisis and here is some information about steps you can take to get help  which I will summarise below. 

    The Cost of Living Payment You mentioned you were on ESA.  If you are on contribution based ESA you will not be entitled to a low income cost of living payment. If you’re on income related ESA you should have received the first instalment of £326 by now. You mention you are on DLA and you will be paid a lump sum payment of £150 from September 2022,

    Council tax rebate The council tax rebate will provide a payment of £150 to households living in council tax bands  A-D which is their main home.  This includes those who receive council tax support even if their council tax bill for the year is less than £150. If you pay your council tax by direct debit your council should have made the payment direct to your bank account from April 2022.

    Help from your local council to pay energy and water bills.  You will need to contact your local council to see if they run a welfare assistance scheme or household support fund

    Energy bills support scheme – a payment of £400 will be automatically added to your account over 6 months starting from October 2022

    You may be entitled to a Discretionary Housing Payment  if you're struggling to pay your rent.

    I don't think its helpful to make judgements on how people consider what is a necessity  and what is a luxury,  All I will say is that many people  do not have the "luxury" of that choice and they are having to choose between necessities - heating and eating, 

    PalsyP do have a look around a forum as I think there will be several discussions you will be interested in.   Have a look on our categories page and pop into our coffee lounge too. 


  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    Sue_Scope said:

    The first thing you can do is to check that you are receiving everything you’re entitled to.

    Who/where would I find that out?

  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    PalsyP said:
    Sue_Scope said:

    The first thing you can do is to check that you are receiving everything you’re entitled to.

    Who/where would I find that out?

    https://advicelocal.uk/ Put your postcode into that link and choose the topic "welfare benefits" it will tell you what advice agency is local to you.


  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    edited August 2022
    I consider myself intelligent, however, all this is mind-boggling, overwhelming, etc - meaning I could stuff up and make the wrong decision, whether it's moving to UC or whatever..... Surely, there must be somewhere I can request someone (in person) who knows about this stuff and advocate for/with me to tell me what avenue is best and then get the ball rolling? 
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    edited August 2022
    PalsyP said:
    I consider myself intelligent, however, all this is mind-boggling, overwhelming, etc - meaning I could stuff up and make the wrong decision, whether it's moving to UC or whatever..... Surely, there must be somewhere I can request someone (in person) who knows about this stuff and advocate for/with me to tell me what avenue is best and then get the ball rolling? 

    I posted a link that will tell you what advice agency is local to you. You will need to use that link.
    If you live alone and your ESA includes the Severe disability Premium and you're in the Support Group then you will be worse off by claiming UC.
  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    poppy123456 said:
    I posted a link that will tell you what advice agency is local to you.
    Age UK, Citizens Advice (my office is phone calls only), My council's Welfare Advice and Debt Support team (link was broken, but I eventually found the correct link and submitted a referral request), some cancer care organisation (erm, ookay?!) and Mind

    I will call the job centre today and ask if I'm getting SDP in my ESA.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    PalsyP said:
    poppy123456 said:
    I posted a link that will tell you what advice agency is local to you.

    I will call the job centre today and ask if I'm getting SDP in my ESA.

    Does your DLA include either mid/high rate care? Do you live alone (no other adults, unless they calim a qualifying disability benefit) if so does anyone claim either carers allowance or carers element of UC for looking after you? If not then your ESA should include the SDP.
  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    Just called... My ESA didn't include SDP, not sure why,  but they say my appointee (sister) should call them and go through some questions.... Not sure why this is - I live alone, and get my care via DP..... So all this time I was missing out!  I was on Income Support for years, then all of a sudden was put on ESA instead.
  • poppy123456
    poppy123456 Online Community Member Posts: 64,463 Championing
    The SDP isn't automatically paid and needs to be claimed because of the criteria involved. The quickest way to claim it is by ringing ESA and ask to fill out the IS10 form over the phone.
    As previously advised, if your DLA includes mid/high rate care and you live alone then you should be claiming the SDP, providing no one claims carers allowance or carers element for looking after you.
    The money from DP has nothing to do with any of your benefits.
  • PalsyP
    PalsyP Online Community Member Posts: 48 Contributor
    The system is a bit stupid, I have an appointee on my account (this was before RelayUK was a mainstream thing), but I can't actually do anything myself in this situation...... I have to wait, have been all my life since I was 3 - school buses, people to help, my carer who is normally late, my sister (my appointee) who has MS and 2 kids and works, not always free.......

    If I remove her as my appointee, will they talk to me and let me speak for myself then?

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