single person, bills + low income

debrag

How does some one on JSA or a low income afford the household bills.

I'm living in a shared place and about to apply for LHA and JSA while looking for a part-time job. As I can get LHA I could get a 1 bed place but of course I'm wondering how I'd pay the bills.

Cardew

What bills? gas, electricity, internet?

P.S.

What is JSA(Job seeking allowance?) and LHA?

debrag

sorry

Yes household bills = gas, electric, water etc
JSA = job seekers
LHA = Local Housing Association

kjsmith7

Some suppliers have 'social tariffs' for those who are on low incomes. It's worth asking, but I don't know if any are still accepting new accounts.

rahl101

Almost all the companies have some form of tarrif, the one that sticks in my mind in the Southern Electric one, their one is if you're using 10% of you income (incluiding benefits but not housing benefit) on your bills they'll give you 20% of the current unit rate.

Farway

debrag wrote: »

How does some one on JSA or a low income afford the household bills.

I'm living in a shared place and about to apply for LHA and JSA while looking for a part-time job. As I can get LHA I could get a 1 bed place but of course I'm wondering how I'd pay the bills.

This is a common problem with many, unfortunately some finish up in the "heat or eat" choice, which is pants but that is life

Of course on JSA there is council tax relief, so no bill there at least

debrag

well I'm aiming for at lest a part-time job, I have few out going to I should JUST about manage.

adprob

Contact your supplier and ask then about their social tarriff. If you spend 10% or more of your income on energy you will get 20% off their bills. Some are even higher.

Fire_Fox

debrag wrote: »

How does some one on JSA or a low income afford the household bills.

I'm living in a shared place and about to apply for LHA and JSA while looking for a part-time job. As I can get LHA I could get a 1 bed place but of course I'm wondering how I'd pay the bills.

Make sure you rent a place with good insulation (flats are often ideal as you benefit from the other flats) and a water meter. We pay £34 a month for our electricity (no gas) and £20 a quarter for our water through being reasonably careful in our usage. The first two winters we didn't use the heating at all - electric underblanket on the bed and an occasional duvet on the sofa. We were paying just £26 a month until the really cold snap hit, and we were obliged to heat our living area this winter. Even then we didn't bother on the milder days in January.

debrag

yeah I do little cooking lol and will just kep the heating down low or over, layers are the way to go