Heating oil help when on benefits?

BigAunty

As well as looking into DLA, see if you can join a local Credit Union. These are financial organisations that are designed for people on low incomes and offer low interest loans, much better than payday loans or Loan Sharks.

Dunroamin

brittone05 wrote: »

My husband doesn't receive DLA.

We get ESA which, between debts that we were left with when his health saw his business go under and general day to day living expenses ( no 50" TV's and such like - we live very basic lifestyles ) doesn't really leave us a great deal to save. I have started the MSA sealed pot challenge to help towards the oil costs though.

We do have an electric heater in the living room but the problem with this is that we are now using in excess of £30-£40 per week in electricity which is not something we can afford to do either.

Kind of stuck between a rock anda hard place but appreciate everyones input so far x

I'd look at picking up a mobile calor gas heater for the living room (you can often buy them second hand) as they're cheaper and more efficient to run than electric heaters.

sammyjammy

I don't have much to add but I would say if you have debts and these are unsecured and not related to Council tax you need to stop paying them, no wonder you are having problems paying for oil if you are prioritising them. A trip to the Debtfree Wannabe board might be a sensible idea, they can help you work out a budget including the oil.

brittone05

Thanks everyone

Unsure if calor gas would be viable as we have insufficient ventilation and don't want to make matters worse ( do they not create carbon monoxide? )

I am looking up Credit Union now also thanks xxx

iris

Would the following scheme be of any use to you?

http://www.watsonfuels.co.uk/heating-oil/monthly-payment-scheme/

brittone05

Posibly for the future Iris thanks so much will get in touch with them xx

tomking23

Thank you for this information TomK

Dusty_Vinyl

This is great info, my mother in law will be pleased when I talk to her about this... it's a bit late considering that I have already bought her the tank, but I did get a deal from www.domesticoiltanks.co.uk and maybe they can save you a few quid too, hopefully I can get help with a new boiler

[Deleted User]

FBaby wrote: »

I know I am going to be flamed again for this, and I do sympathise with your situation OP, but your question is any help with heating costs when on benefits and you are already getting help. If not through winter payments, through the DLA your husband will be getting.

There is often debate on this forum about what DLA costs are for, and many explains that being disabled means that they have higher electric/gas costs. That's fair enough and what DLA is indeed for.

I do feel for you in that noone is perfect and sometimes our budgeting skills fail us. I've been there, but that's where the issue lies, in insuring that you budget your income to take into consideration all likely circumstances, including a very cold winter rather than expecting more benefits on top on what it is already providing for.

Like many people who are struggling to pay their heating bill, you will have to look at how you can juggle your other bills, see what you can sell, see if friends would be prepared to loan you the money etc...

DLA was designed to compensate disabled people because they either could not work or might earn less if they did work,we seem to have lost sight of this probably because its now 20 years since it was brought in

RAS

Hi

Do a full benefit check on https://www.turn2us.org.uk