Disability and Heating Oil

MissMoneypenny

Red_Doe wrote: »

The trouble really is geography. Being this rural has it's own problems. There is no council housing anywhere nearby (we are just down from Cape Wrath) and the nearest sources of it are sparse, as is common in these areas. The council are fairly unsympathetic, I have explained the situation to them more than once and asked for help just to be met with a "not our responsibility" response.

Just googled this
http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/
They might be able to help with moving costs to a rented house with gas heating or may know a charity that will help you move to a warmer house.

sleepless_saver

Has your partner tried claiming disability living allowancehttp://www.direct.gov.uk/en/disabledpeople/financialsupport/dg_10011925? How old are you both?

YORKSHIRELASS

I dont really have any practical solutions but I do feel for you. We have oil heating and my son has health problems so we are at home a lot. Last winter we spent nearly £1000 on heating in three months - and thats with trying not to have the heating on excessively.

Do you have some sort of heating and hot water? Are you able to afford to run electric heaters to keep at least a couple of rooms warm? If not then surely there must be a charity out there who can help. We use our immersion heater and electric oil radiators to cut down our use of the central heating as electricity is generally cheaper than heating oil.

Oldernotwiser

menher wrote: »

They are!

A member of my family is Belgian and we have had long discussions about how can their country afford to pay what they do.
Simple I was told. The more you earn, and the more years you earn it in, the more you get back as a pension.

Even their Social Security/Disability benefits are far more generous than ours.

But the carrot they use, is that you MUST work as MUCH as you can, earning the MOST that you can. Those that wish to make claiming benefits a lifestyle, then don't expect much help!

Thanks, that's really interesting.

rogerblack

Ow - 55p.

I make that 6.4p/kWh.

Cheap-rate electricity is marginally cheaper to heat with - but only if you had economy 7 fitted, so is unlikely to help.

You're an ideal candidate for installing a heatpump, which might half the bills if properly setup - however, you almost certainly can't afford it, and the chances of a landlord being willing are tiny.

Draught sealing can help.

Checking the thickness of insulation is probably a good plan.
Nothing else springs to mind - other than the obvious - heating one room.
Unfortunately, the rooms are unlikely to be well thermally insulated from each other, so this is going to be lots more expensive than it might otherwise be, as you have to heat the rest of the house through the walls.

Red_Doe

We'll definately check into whatever we can, but it's looking increasingly less hopeful to be honest.
Regarding moving, our current rent is low...precisely because we are so remote. The other rents we've looked at, we'd be unable to afford. The very cheapest seem to all start around £450 a month and those are sought after and go quickly, mostly the going rate is around £500 to even £800 a month which is ridiculous, that isn't for a mansion but a small two up two down etc.
We have one coal fire in the livingroom, which we also struggle to heat as coal costs £16 a bag here. We're basically camping out in the livingroom this winter so we can keep it as warm as possible, using the kitchen and loo though are obvious problems, which probably sounds comical but even wrapping well up, breathing in cold air in minus 20-odd temperatures causes health problems alone.
I feel guilty even asking, I know there are plenty others in similar situations. I just wish that the oil companies would recognise fuel poverty exists and make some kind of allowance. I'm not asking for oil for free, but the one company that delivers here will not let tenants pay in installments for their oil. I asked and was told yes, I can set up direct debits to pay it IF, and only if, I already have the full amount in my bank account! What nonsense, as if that was the case I wouldn't be asking to pay in installments.
Just have to tough it out.

Red_Doe

Have just written to my MSP, John Thurso, to ask if he can help regarding Scottish Fuels refusal to let tenants pay for heating oil by installments. Here's hoping he can.

mc33033

Hi Red Doe

Have you spoken with Highland Fuels? They allow you to place an order under their payment plan if you can cover half the cost? The cost of the heating fuel is one aspect, I would focus on reducing the amount of heating required. I would avoid any crisis loan as this is an on-going issue for yourselves and a loan isn't going to fix this.

As others have mentioned draughtproofing is a must and your should focus on this right now - sort out every tiny leak using sealant/sprayfoam/draught strips. Get a chimney balloon to stop the heat escaping up there. Topping up loft insulation is always worthwhile if it has not been done. Dry the air as well using a dehumidifier if possible (well worth the expense in NW Scotland) - if you are in a cold building and aren't opening windows you are still generating moisture - this will hit the cold walls and turn to damp patches. A dehumidifier with a heater in it can help warm the place a good bit as well.

Red_Doe

Thanks mc33033, lots of good info in there
Not sure if Highland Fuels will deliver here but will give it a go and ask, nothing to lose.
Can't afford a dehumidifier at the moment but it's certainly something to think about for the future, used to have one years ago and it was worth it's weight in gold. Am bubble wrapping the windows this weekend too!

suzybloo

Hi Red Doe,

Have you looked at the various housing associations available in the highlands and Islands area. In this area there is Servite, which provides rental properties at very reasonable costs - Approx £300 per month, this is properties with 2 bedrooms suitable for 3 people.

Below is a link that may be of some use to you,and possibly worth keeping an eye on, which initially starts on the Servite website. http://www.homehunt.info - you do have to be registered with the housing associations to apply for these, but the costs seem so much less than what you are paying, and the properties are in general centrally heated and in not too bad areas, throughout Scotland - including the H&I. I am sure there would be some charity trusts available to help with moving costs.

ETA:http://scotland.shelter.org.uk/getadvice/advice_topics/paying_for_a_home/other_benefits,_grants_and_loans/budgeting_loans

Suzy