Am I entitled to any help to stay warm?

daveandjadea

I'm currently in receipt of ESA, housing benefit and tax benefit.

It's only September and even with heating and fire full blast I'm still cold...god knows what it's going to be like in winter, I certainly can't afford to keep heating and fire on all the time. I also can't afford winter clothing, a winter coat or shoes that don't have holes in the bottom...at least not without some major saving.

I live in a council flat with no insulation, the outside walls of my flat are cold to the touch, and although I have double glazing there are gaps in the window that left the draft in so it's always cold in here. I can't afford draft-proofing...right now all I can really do is try to tape-up the gaps around the windows to limit the draft.

Short of getting yet another budgeting loan to try to buy warmer clothes and basic draft-proofing...is there anything else I can do to get a little help with heating or draft-proofing?

nannytone_2

you need to look at the 'warm home' sche,e that is being run by all the energy providers. each one has its own criteris.... but will pay $120 next march to contribute towars your winter fuel bill.

you possibly also meed to look at where you are spending your benefit money.

i too am on ESA and hb/ctb, but have managed to buy myself a coat for the winter and a pair of warm boots

sniggings

British Gas are offering free loft and wall insulation.

If you have gaps around windows then make a report to say your windows are damaged and need fixing to the council, I would not make it sound like it's a draft problem but more a security problem, that should get them out sooner.

I bit of tape around windows works wonders so you can do that in the meantime.

You really shouldn't be feeling the cold that much yet if you have the heating on full, I don't know what your health problem is but that might be more the reason then the flat or lack of clothing.

You can buy electric blankets that are designed for using whilst watching TV or even sleeping bag type covers that have arms and legs. and they are not that expensive.

I bet if you ring your council they will either have help for people in your situation or can point you in the right direction.

mrs_motivated

Have a look on the Old Style board, the preparing for winter thread, they have some great (cheap) tips.

Have a look in charity shops for a warm coat too, you may pic up a really nice snuggly coat for a few pounds.

Best of luck x

nannytone_2

the majority of insulation schemes are only available to owner/occupiers and private tenants. most dont go near social housing

Dunroamin

Is the reason you're so cold related to the condition for which you claim ESA?

princessdon

I haven't had to put the heating on yet? Do you live in Scotland?

sniggings

princessdon wrote: »

I haven't had to put the heating on yet? Do you live in Scotland?

lets not get carried away, it's not the middle of winter yet but it is cold, it has rained in many areas for days on end, where I am it has rained for 3 days solid, I do not like to be too warm but I still need the heating on low atm.

Torry_Quine

princessdon wrote: »

I haven't had to put the heating on yet? Do you live in Scotland?

that's not necessarily the issue as I'm in Scotland and not close to putting the heating on yet.

princessdon

Really - I am up North and I have had my windows open and no need for "heating and fire" like OP. Just wondered where they were.

Just been to the garden to feed outside animals and was fairly warm out there.

Certainly not enough to have heating and fire on full blast.

Muttleythefrog

Not used my heating yet this autumn... 18C in living room.. 16C approx elsewhere.. 10-12C outside in last week. Amazing what leaving the TV on all my waking day does..lol... not to mention this PC.

Dave..Op... I really hate the idea of using heating in winter and I do suffer a bit. But layers of clothing are important... especially on head.. lots of heat loss there.. lots of socks... fingerless gloves. It does sound like changing home may be in order.. it sounds appallingly inefficient for keeping warm. Charity shops for clothes? Regarding the windows... look for a better suited material to plug into the gaps... I'd estimate that polystyrene for example might be good... and probably is something you can find somewhere around. I spent a lot of last winter in a cheap sleeping bag... while at PC or watching TV... think it cost me about £7.. and obviously in bed had lots layers.. and admittedly an electric blanket. ..I only really felt cold after prolonged typing at computer.. in my hands and arms... or when visiting bathroom or kitchen.

As above... Warm home scheme... look on your energy supplier's website.. you could well be eligible to get £120 rebate on electricity for the year but you'd need to apply for it.