Yet another bedroom tax problem

Wicked_witch

Regarding the electricity bills, have you asked about any schemes your supplier might run that will lower the bill a bit? npower have just signed us up to theirs (husband is disabled) and they take £186 off the bill each year. This just about covers the new price rise for us and hopefully would for you too.

All the best, you are in a deeply unenviable position.

TheSaint_2

Looks like you have no gas and so use electric for heating and water. From the amount you spend I would guess your house is not well insulated. You may cut your bill a lot by simply laying loft insulation and getting cavity wall done. As you are on benefits it should be free.


Try heating one room during the day, and use thick quilts at night. Your total bill is double my combined bill and I have a four bedroomed house! I use an electric shower too and my electric part of my bill is about £45 a month and there are four of us. Check you have energy saving bulbs throughout, and turn things off when not in use.


You sound like you need to buy cheaper food too, I know its not ideal but we all have to cut back. I do sympathise though, bedroom tax should not apply if there is no suitable property to move to.


Are you able to take a lodger?


I don't want this to sound harsh, but too often people complain they don't have enough hand-outs rather than trying to make what they have go further.

tonyciclo

custardy wrote: »

in the past 29 days?

And the 12 months before I decided to join this site?

tonyciclo

princessdon wrote: »

Play nicely mr A

Still waiting for a reply. Or are you worried that I may be right?

tonyciclo

xylophone wrote: »

The only significant exemption on grounds of disability is for a room for an overnight carer for either the named tenant or spouse."

It would appear that the OH does not have an overnight carer

In which case he will not be classed as disabled enough to qualify. It is all down to degrees of disability. Those that have a live in carer V those that don't.

jacques_chirac

princessdon wrote: »

Are you claiming all relevant benefits?

This seems the most important question, as with their full entitlement the OP should have sufficient income to cover his outgoings - and it may be why he does not qualify for a DHP.

OP, do you receive incapacity/ ESA, DLA, housing benefit and council tax support? If you do, I would suggest posting a statement of affairs on the Debtfree Wannabe board, where they can help you manage your expenses.

tonyciclo

Wicked_witch wrote: »

Regarding the electricity bills, have you asked about any schemes your supplier might run that will lower the bill a bit? npower have just signed us up to theirs (husband is disabled) and they take £186 off the bill each year. This just about covers the new price rise for us and hopefully would for you too.

All the best, you are in a deeply unenviable position.

Scottish Power have one called 'Fresh Start'.

We have been on this tariff for the past couple of years and in all that time there have been no price rises - the rates were fixed when the scheme started. We currently pay £104 a month for gas and electricity and our home isn't small. The heating is on 24/7 and is controlled purely by the thermostat. Hot water is always on day and night with the boiler temp set at max.

I would try SP and see what they can offer.

jacques_chirac

tonyciclo wrote: »

Scottish Power have one called 'Fresh Start'.

We have been on this tariff for the past couple of years and in all that time there have been no price rises - the rates were fixed when the scheme started. We currently pay £104 a month for gas and electricity and our home isn't small. The heating is on 24/7 and is controlled purely by the thermostat. Hot water is always on day and night with the boiler temp set at max.

I would try SP and see what they can offer.

It is not available to new customers.

Danny_10

my daughter is 15.5 and does a lot for me but i have never thought about claiming anything for her helping me

as she does the washing up, recycling, washing machine stuff does that count as a carer?

and as she is here 3 nights ish a week can i say she is a carer?

not to get more money but just so they dont evict me?

princessdon

tonyciclo wrote: »

Still waiting for a reply. Or are you worried that I may be right?

Ok I'll play. £4.odd increase doesn't sound right at all. OP lives alone and there could be elements missing from his claim. There's a world of difference between playing a system (which is wrong) and claiming what you should already be claiming (not wrong), is that ok mr newbie.