ESA claimant question's about how I am expected to pay for everything etc.

NASA_2

I smell a wind-up - nobody could be as cretinous as to whinge about the situation the OP is in.

metalgal

what a day to read this thread. I get esa and have loads of bills to pay. my husband works 16k a year but our mortgage was based on both of us earning a total of 35k. We also have a baby and we have learnt to cope with our drop in income but some days i lose my temper with it all. i didn't ask to be ill. i want to go to work and have money again, but i can't. i hate of having to think about every single thing i buy. i hate having to cut back on everything. i grew up pretty wealthy and its hard to manage on £95 pw to sort out 2 adults and baby in nappies. I used to spend £75 on the Chanel counter in debenhams and not think twice about it but can't any more. To the OP im afraid im going to have to be tough and say just deal with it. You have no choice and its !!!!!, (although you can !!!!! and moan about it OCCASIONALLY.)

flutterbyuk25

How on earth do you spend £30/week on electric and £50/week on food?!!

I live on my own in a 2bed all electric flat and my electic is averaging £40/month - less than half yours. And I spend £60/mth on food! I am not stingy in my food choices either, although I am veggie so no money spent on meat.

If you are all electric then I assume you have Economy 7? Use it. I wash everything during the cheap hours, change phone then, use breadmaker then, dishwasher etc. You shouldn't need need your heating on now, wear more clothes, get a blanket.

NASA_2

metalgal wrote: »

what a day to read this thread. I get esa and have loads of bills to pay. my husband works 16k a year but our mortgage was based on both of us earning a total of 35k. We also have a baby and we have learnt to cope with our drop in income but some days i lose my temper with it all. i didn't ask to be ill. i want to go to work and have money again, but i can't. i hate of having to think about every single thing i buy. i hate having to cut back on everything. i grew up pretty wealthy and its hard to manage on £95 pw to sort out 2 adults and baby in nappies. I used to spend £75 on the Chanel counter in debenhams and not think twice about it but can't any more. To the OP im afraid im going to have to be tough and say just deal with it. You have no choice and its !!!!!, (although you can !!!!! and moan about it OCCASIONALLY.)

£95 a week?

16k divided by 52 comes to somewhere over £300 a week. Your maths is a bit off:(

elvis86

NASA wrote: »

£95 a week?

16k divided by 52 comes to somewhere over £300 a week. Your maths is a bit off:(

I think she meant £95 after the mortgage and utilities etc?;)

And, my salary is £17.5k, but I don't come home with £300+ a week? Do folk not pay tax where you live??

NASA_2

elvis86 wrote: »

I think she meant £95 after the mortgage and utilities etc?;)

And, my salary is £17.5k, but I don't come home with £300+ a week? Do folk not pay tax where you live??

That's not the way it came across to me - it came across as if she only had her benefits to live off?

Of course people pay tax - are gross wages unacceptable to state though?

elvis86

NASA wrote: »

That's not the way it came across to me - it came across as if she only had her benefits to live off?

Of course people pay tax - are gross wages unacceptable to state though?

Well, if you thought she referred to benefits in her hand, then comparing that with her OH's gross income would be a slightly unfair comparison, yes..:cool:

metalgal

i meant i have £95 pw for the three of us after all bills debts etc are paid.

P0123

To BARNEY - firstly, I am sorry to hear about your problems, and situation, as other readers and writers SHOULD BE, and not picking fault in everything!! They shouldn't be allowed to feature on this site if all they can do is pick someone's problems to pieces and be negative and critical!!

In the meantime, I have had a similar problem to you, and not been able to live on the £65 pw, to cover my water, gas, electric, travel (to JobCentre/other Govt offices,) day-to-day expenses and food. I have cut down to one to two )max) meals a day, and always seek out the "cheap"/"discount shelves" in the supermarkets. Most Benefit-related offices have 0845 tel nos which actually cost a fortune to call, (and although I was told they should call back when asked, they have refused). Everyone has different circumstances, and so until you know every single person's individual details, don't just assume, and judge wrongly. Try to be a bit supportive.

Barney - I do recommend, (which neither JobCentre/Benefits Agency or CAB helped with,) trying Charis Grants website. They are extremely helpful, (and understanding,) and you can claim money from a limited fund from your Energy Suppliers, (eg, EDF, British Gas, South West Water, etc). The website gives you details, but you can also look up your local Energy Supplier's "TRUST" website, eg, EDF Trust, British Gas Trust, because, again they do not advertise them, but this is where you can hopefully claim back some money.

You just need to write out your incomings and outgoings, and they'll ask for some copies of proof, etc, and wait for their response.

Regarding free internet usage, the Libraries offer your first half hour free. DO NOT USE THE LIBRARY AFTER YOUR FIRST HALF HOUR as it has just gone up to the ridiculous charge of £2 per half hour. After this, there are - depending on your location and whether you live in a village, town, city, etc - some Community ventures that will offer computer use free of charge too. Also, if you are visiting Pathways/A4e, they will give you free jobsearch facilities, including via a pc.

With your electric, Storage Heaters do tend to be more expensive, overall, maybe you might like to get a halogen radiant fire, which tend to be cheap to buy and cheap to run. If you have a coin meter, these are often put up by the Landlord, so ask to pay by monthly bills instead. Some companies offer discounts if you pay by direct debit/standing order now.

Hope this helps a bit, and take care with your illness. You do not need so many negative people in your life right now.

Kind regards,
P

JS477

gazfocus wrote: »

I feed myself and my fiance on £30 a week and we're quite happy with what we get - ok we can't afford fresh joints of meat or anything, but they're luxeries we don't need.

I'm not being funny but I would really be interested in how you manage that as it would really benefit my situation.

Thanks