Crisis Loan for Oil Heating?

ShaShaSha

My oil ran out last week unexpectedly. We moved in here July and this is the first oil heating we have had.

We had money put by to fill the tank, but my partner took it when he left us after a domestic assault. I am currently waiting on my own claim of income support, and a reclaim of tax credits since he has now left the household.

I now live here with my 9 month old daughter, I am 15 weeks pregnant and disabled. I have for the past week been trying to just wrap us up warm and make do like that, but we are now ill with colds and I have a chest infection so I have to do something.

Im wondering if I can get a crisis loan to fill the tank? or if there is other help I could get to help me in this difficult situation?

Thanks

starnight_2

I would go ahead and apply for it. Crisis loans are exactly that, for crises. I know myself I have got crisis loans as I had no maney for heating or food. They should be able to look and see that you have put in a claim for IS. You have a young child and are pregnant, you need to be able to heat your house.

As a side note, I recieved a crisis loan while awaiting my claim for IS to go through. I needed it to buy things for my newborn, as we had nothing, and they gave me enough to tide me over until my claim went through.

ShaShaSha

Thank you, after spending £5 credit trying to get through I am now on hold Not sure how long my mobile credit will last

Welshwoofs

Put in for your crisis loan, but if you have the money I'd invest in a portable calor gas heater.

All my hot water and central heating runs off a solid fuel stove. We've not had the stove on since early April and now it's getting a little chilly find that a calor gas heater warms the rooms we're in downstairs sufficently (upstairs isn't a problem as you simply get into bed and warm up at night).

ShaShaSha

Thanks Welsewoofs, any idea of the cost? and how easy would it be to light/refuel etc being in a wheelchair? I can stand and walk breifly, but have difficulty lifting?

Thanks

Welshwoofs

ShaShaSha wrote: »

Thanks Welsewoofs, any idea of the cost? and how easy would it be to light/refuel etc being in a wheelchair? I can stand and walk breifly, but have difficulty lifting?

Thanks

The cost of the fire itself is really one of those 'how much do you want to pay?' things. I got mine second hand on Ebay for about £15 and picked it up in the car. If you google for 'portable gas heaters' or 'calor gas heaters' you should get a good idea of price.

As for the gas itself, you have to pay a one-off deposit to Calor for the bottles which is around £20 from memory. After that you can get any local Calor Gas supplier to come and deliver the bottle for you and there's a choice of size. My fire takes 7kg or 15kg bottles and I've always find they're fine about bringing them in the house for you.

Turning the things on is easy - they're on casters and the whole unit would not be as tall as you in a chair. They have a switch on the side to ignite the gas and then you simply turn a dial to select how many 'bars' you want burning. They're very cost effective and certainly save me from having to stoke up the entire central heating system in autumn/spring (burning nuggets costs me around £360 every 5 weeks!)

Fran

I don't think you can get a crisis loan for "normal" living expenses (ie heating, which would be expected to come out of your Income Support). Did you report the missing cash to the police?

You might be able to get a Community Care Grant because of break up of family and health reasons. This does not have to be paid back so it's a good idea to try this first.

Fran

Having said apply for Community Care Grant I would suggest getting advice as the Direct.gov website says it can't be awarded for fuel "except in certain circumstances". I'm not sure whether stolen money would apply here.

alwaysonthego_2

Fran wrote: »

I don't think you can get a crisis loan for "normal" living expenses (ie heating, which would be expected to come out of your Income Support). Did you report the missing cash to the police?

You might be able to get a Community Care Grant because of break up of family and health reasons. This does not have to be paid back so it's a good idea to try this first.

Fran I think the OP can get a crisis loan for her heating fuel, it doesn't say it is excluded from the below list, hth.

[p.s I got the info below from work so cannot offer a link]

Which expenses are excluded 7

A crisis loan cannot be made for (endnote 8):-

• any need which occurs outside the UK
• educational or training expenses, including clothing or tools
• a distinctive school uniform, sports clothes or equipment
• travelling expenses to and from school
• school meals, and meals at home for children entitled to free school meals
• expenses in connection with court proceedings, for example, legal fees, court fees, fines, costs, damages, subsistence and travelling expenses
• removal charges if a client is rehoused permanently by the local authority under homelessness legislation or following a compulsory purchase order, a redevelopment, prohibitation or closing order, or compulsory exchange of tenancies
• domestic assistance or respite care
• repairs to the client's home, if s/he is a local authority (in N. Ireland, the Northern Ireland Housing Executive) tenant or the tenant of a registered social landlord
• a medical, surgical, optical, aural or dental item or service
• work-related expenses
• debts to government departments, for example, arrears of national insurance contributions or income tax
• investments
• the costs of a telephone, including installation costs and call charges
• mobility needs
• a holiday
• the costs of renting a television or radio and/or the costs of a television aerial or licence
• garaging, parking, purchase or running costs of any motor vehicle, except travelling expenses in an emergency
• council tax or community charge arrears
• housing costs (see next paragraph)
• funeral or maternity expenses. It is arguable which expenses are excluded. A client who wishes to apply for a crisis loan for a funeral payment or maternity grant, and who is subsequently refused, should therefore be advised to request a review
• in N. Ireland, the costs associated with home or personal security measures other than locks, bolts, door chains or door viewers for outside doors and windows.

betterlatethannever

I recently got a crisis loan for electricity (metered) which had run out and i was between benefits, so i can't see any difference with the OP and oil

You should prehaps take Welshwoofs (great name;)) advice and look at a second form of heating, and a cheaper one.
Calor gas heaters are great, though they can cause condensation, and you'll have to be careful with little ones running around.
I have a couple of halogen heaters, which are cheap to buy, run and are adequate at providing some heat, though i doubt they'd be enough on there own when up against a Scottish winter:D

a11waysindebt

Hi Sorry for hi jacking, are these loans available for people who are working.