It is tough NOW. So how are we coping

ceridwen

Hi CW18

Knew you would know the details about whats what for these circumstances.

One thing I am wondering though - its been quite some years since I was on benefit - hence not au fait with up-to-date stuff. I recall back then that people were given several "extras" on top of the basic benefit and housing costs - ie payments for water and fuel and (if you owned your home) - then several £s per week for maintenance and insurance of it.

I know that the water and fuel payments were cut out of existence. The money for maintenance/insurance of ones home (if one owns it) wasnt cut however. Have they cut that "extras" payment as well and I havent heard about it? Its my understanding that - should I (as a homeowner) have to go onto benefits that I would get that "extra" on top of my £60.50 per week and Council Tax covered for me. So I would be expecting £5/£10 per week for that too - after all homeowners have to cover this cost (which is something thats included in the rent for those in rented accommodation).

Just thinking that I would need about £4 for my home/contents insurance and, at a guesstimate, £2/£3 per week just for the "running repairs" angle of work on my home (paying a little man who can to do things like sealant/grouting replacement every few years in the kitchen/bathroom for instance - all that sort of stuff thats necessary to ensure the place doesnt fall down around your ears - but would be covered by the rent if in rented accommodation).

I think this "extra" may be one of those benefit thingies that one has to know about and specifically ask for - as its not handed over automatically. They hope you dont know about it.

Can you clarify whether this "extra" still exists?

cw18

To the best of my knowlege you can't get anything towards maintaining or insuring the home if you have a mortgage..... it does seem slightly wrong that a home-owner has to find these things from the same money as a tenant who doesn't, but (as Carly has discovered) we do sometimes qualify for home improvement grants for things like insulation and heating systems -- and let's be honest, they do improve the value of your home without you having to find the money to do them. So I guess we win on that one

mummysaver

Sylvan wrote: »

Just a thought - is your gas for running central heating? We found that whenever we had long power cuts it didn't matter how much gas we had because the pump runs on electricity, so you can heat the water but it won't go anywhere. Spent 5 days with no power and several feet of snow one year, thanking our lucky stars that we had ONE open hearth. :rotfl:

Oh, hadn't thought about that, but then ch not working at the mo anyway! But we do have a gas fire which will keep us warm, an no pump needed to get the gas to it! Hot water might be a prob, will take a while to boil enough, best make sure I dig the old baby bath out the garage just incase we need to go all Little House on the Prairie!

purpleivy

mummysaver wrote: »

Mardatha - dried milk in our little tesco used to be near the milkshake mixes, don't know if this will help you locate it! Unsurprisingly I have dried milk in my stores lol! I have 8 litres of UHT (constantly used and replenished cos I make a LOT of yoghurt), and a big tub of powdered milk plus 2 packs of it that I got the other day from AF.

!

Hey! I put in an order at approved food yesterday. Was very pleased to find ground decaff at a reasonable price (60p!) as at Mr M, the cheapest is nearly £2.50 and some are well over £3. And of course I kept going until I got my order to the maximum weight on the cheapest postage IYKWIM. So no big bottles of water for me!

Have you used the milk powder? Is it OK? Millac is a brand that I used to use when I was in catering many years ago, always found it OK then. If I have that kicking around I use it for all cooking use, custards sauces etc. Will stash a couple in the freezer until needed, to help keep it fresh, also the coffee will go in the freezer until required. THought Galaxy dark would be good for Christmas baking too. Hope it all arrives soon! Pleased with the giant jar of Nutella for Nigella's torta di gianduja.

Does the range vary much? or does it tend to be the same things over and over again? WOuld be interested to know that.

mumoffour77

approved foods dont "do" my area:(
Im so jealous!!!

mummysaver

Hiya purple! Not used the milk yet, got a big pot of Mr T's on the go at the mo! Will report back when I start using it! Never heard of keeping it in the freezer, though I do keep my coffee beans in there, will give it a go when i have some space!

Any chance of you posting Nigella's tart, in your own words of course lol! Got to produce a choc tart for our village do next Sat, and it'd be nice to do something other than shortcrust filled with ganache! Thanks!

Caterina

ceridwen wrote: »

Mardatha
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

You know you're a right "nutter" dont you - in the nicest possible way lass...:rotfl: :rotfl: but we loves ya....errrmmm....mind you...penguins...that aint vegetarian...ohmegawd...she'll be coming up with a few recipes for cooked penguin yet.....;) oyy...you....ceridwen's a vegetarian...make sure you come up with a few vegetarian ones as well:D

Penguin eggs, woman! And for veg, lichen scraped from below the snow! Ain't you resourceful or wot! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

ceridwen wrote: »

....not to forget Mardatha...keeping lookout...;) . Now what do we have for a motto "All for one and one for all - and bring on the saucepans (for cooking it)".

No worries, the three Musketeers were four anyway, so we can be as well! hehehe

Caterina

mardatha

Well ok, but if I spot a wandering penguin or nifty patch of lichen then YUR ON YUR OWN & I'M OFF !

ifonlyitwaseasier

roflmao!!!!!!! mardatha you crack me up!!!

CRANKY40

cw18 wrote: »

But you also need to be aware that if IS are then prepared to discount this as maintainance they will expect him to start paying that as well -- and if the two of you don't come up with an amicable agreement they will drag the CSA into it.

Not any more they won't. It all changed from the 27th of October. People in receipt of Income Support no longer have to put a claim in to CSA.