What are we entitled to

Blackswan123
Blackswan123 Online Community Member Posts: 1 Listener
in Benefits and income
My husband & I both receive State pension and I am disabled and receive higher PIP. I also have a small teachers pension. Last month our bill for gas and electric was nearly £400.We now sit in blankets during the day and stay in bed as long as possible. I had a fall and have broken my ankle & lower leg bones. Having hospital appointments so appreciate sitting in the warm. It's a nightmare! Any help ...

Comments

  • calcotti
    calcotti Online Community Member Posts: 10,000 Championing
    edited January 2023
    Have you applied for Council Tax Reduction from your local authority? You may be eligible depending on the amounts of your pensions. 

    Your possible entitlement would be increased if your husband applied for Carers Allowance for looking after you. He would not be paid anything but a claim would establish an underlying entitlement which means a carer premium would be included in the calculation. There may still be no entitlement. Any savings over £10,000 would reduce entitlement. There’s no point in claiming CA without first working out if it makes a difference.

    I infer that your husband does not receive a disability benefit.

    Do you own or rent your home? Does anybody else live with you?

    You can use a benefits calculator to check your entitlement.
    https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/

  • Cher_Alumni
    Cher_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,714 Championing
    edited January 2023
    Hello @Blackswan123 and welcome to our online community, how are you today? I hope you and your husband are as well as can be.

    I'm sorry you are in these circumstances. Energy bills are so costly and disabled people are bearing the brunt of it significantly. 

    In addition to the benefits advice given, I wanted to point you in the direction of Scope's free Disability Energy Support service. The lovely team can give you advice about lots of things energy-wise, 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
    Visit the Disability Energy Support service for more information, and here's the application link to express interest.

    There's also lots of information on Scope's 'Help with your energy bills' webpage, that could come in handy. Whilst this 'Warm welcome' website and Warm spaces website show spaces close by to get a warm and cup of tea.

    Take care and please keep us updated with how you get on.

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