no hot water, no heating, no money

iamsc

My central heating/hot water has packed up, B Gas say it will cost about £1600. Which of course I don't have and can't borrow as I am in a DMP. PayPlan and National Debtline have no ideas. I can't claim any grants as I am single, in good physical health and not a pensioner. And earn too much.

If I can't wash myself or my clothes, I can't go to work. So I can't even earn anything. And bring on the cold weather!

Just feel like giving up.

FabDee

Hi

You don;t need to buy a boiler from B/Gas, do a search for new boilers but make sure they are corgi resigtered and double check they are. See what they charge and if they do any payment plans. Give it a try and see what you can find.

Also my washing machine uses cold water to do a wash, some machines do, if you have the instructions read and see, the machine itself heats the water.

Also get online and check your local council for any schemes, if you own your house then you will need to sort it but if its rented get onto the landlord.

Just a few ideas hope they help.
Good luck

tori.k

Didnt like to read and run, somedays life likes to give you an added kick in the teeth when you need it least...when your at the bottom the only way is up...."she says more to convince herself then others" how about your local credit union? sorry im not much help just didnt like to read and run.

Tixy

You should be able to get it repaired/or a new one for much less than Bgas quote (probably about half the price).

Check whether your washing machine actually uses hot water- some are just cold fill. Failing that you could always use the laundrette (or do you have friends/family you could ask to use their washer for the really important stuff).

Same for showers - any nearby friends? Plus you can always heat a kettle of water for a basin of hot water (not ideal I know but it is possible to get clean). Do you have a gym membership or consider using the local sports centre (sometimes dryside showers can be accessed without paying for any activity).

I believe sometimes you can drop down to token payments for a couple of months in an emergency when on a DMP, ask them whether this would be possible.

Find out lots of warm clothes/socks/slippers and blankets and wrap up warm. Do you have an electric heater or an electric blanket for your bed. Try just to keep one room in the house warm (although luckily its not too cold yet).
If it gets cold then rather than sitting at home in the evening go visit friends or the library to take advantage of their heat.

Can't think of anymore ideas at the moment.

Wol2

It might be possible to apply for a crisis loan.......you do not have to be on benefits to apply for one and this should be qualified as an emergency/disaster

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

Hope this helps
Wol2
xxx

glitterycloud

have you thought about maybe getting a small gas heater which uses gas bottles? Have a look on ebay or freecycle as you might be able to get a bargin. We used a gas heater when we lived in the country and was supplied with oil central heating.

Use a kettle to heat up water to wash with, ok its no the same as hot water from a tap but it will do the same job. Using a laundrette is a good idea or do you have family that could help you out at the moment with washing?

Pippilongstocking

Loads of great advice

Halogen heater - about 20 quid is cheap to run in short term and doesnt cost too much outlay. Or ask on freecycle?


My OH has bust central heating - same kind of situation as you can't really afford a boiler at the mo - 18 months later still no further forward BUT.......he boils kettle for hot water (dishes shaving and washing) and showers at the gym/pool - he just uses his washing machine on the lowest setting and bought the 'cold' activated washing powder

misspoppy

Could you ask work for a loan I know its not great but it could be the only solution.

iamsc

Thank you all so much for your ideas

DevonGirl

Hi

I don't know anything about central heating boilers, but I do know about the DMP side of it. I'm with CCCS and my boiler packed up a while ago - fortunately for me it was repairable but to the tune of around £400. CCCS let me reduce my DMP right down to bone for a month to pay for this, and informed my creditors of this. I didn't hear a squeak from any of my creditors directly , although CCCS told me one creditor said they wouldn't accept the temporary lower amount, but did take the money anyway and haven't said anything further.

These emergencies do happen, and the £10 per week or so you get for emergencies on a DMP just won't cover this, so explain to your DMP provider, and sort out some temporary lower payments for a set number of months.

If you're worried about your creditors I would send them a letter to explain why you are paying less and how long the lower payments will last. Having hot water and central heating is considered an essential and hopefully you won't have any problems.
Hope this helps

brightonman123

the Corgi register has now changed to Gas Safe (dont know if just a name change, or a whole new setup?)