Facing a tight budget

Irenadler

Spoonie_Turtle said:

EDIT to add: Have you applied for income-based council tax reduction? It's a separate thing from the single person discount. - Oops, cross-posted with Mrsn

You can watch anything other than BBC programmes on catch-up without a licence, so it would be worth considering whether you really need the TV licence right now (if you can just cancel it, I don't actually know how it works).

I'm not asking, but just mentioning that perhaps you could consider whether you could pause the charity donations while you get yourself back on your feet.

[If you haven't already, worth looking around to make sure you are getting the best deal for your phone. Obviously you're not paying a huge amount anyway, but on PAYG you can be a lot more flexible presuming you own your phone outright.]

Batch cooking, if you physically can and have room in your freezer, especially if you can get reduced veggies in bulk, should be quite economical.  https://cookingonabootstrap.com/ is an excellent resource.

Hi Spoonie Turtle, like your name 
Yes, thank you, I finally did apply at last for CT reduction. I will update you all if I do get it, fingers crossed.

Yes, the licence fee is hefty now, I will take a look into that. You know, I never even thought about getting rid, it is just one of those things you don't think about as it's 'what everyone does'.... 
Definitely, giving myself a face palm moment over the charity, as Mrsn says, it doesn't have to be stopped for good.
I have a cheapo Tesco phone I own that isn't internet connected, and because of things in my past, need to have it fully topped up in case of emergencies. Family also need to know I am ok and connected... 
Batch cooking, yes, I like the sound of that. I only have a small 4 drawer under counter freezer but I am sure I could use it better. Thank you for that link, I might be on there for some time... 

calleyw

I think they are wrong about the water bill nearly at £59 a month.  Two people in one house and I pay £21 a month water bill over 12 months.  It use to be that you could change to meter and if its costing you more you can change back with the first year.  If they can't fit a meter then do a some sort of calculation of how much one person uses.

Yours

Calley x

Irenadler

poppy12345 said:

Mrsn said:

Have you had a look at one of the benefit entitlement calculators such as entitled to or turn2us as they might point out anything else relevant and make sure you’re getting all the help you need.

The only other benefit the OP maybe entitled to, other than council tax reduction is New style ESA BUT this won't make them financially better off because it's deducted £1 for £1 from the UC entitlement.

OP are you sending in fit notes from your GP for your UC claim? You say you have mental health issues and are unable to work at the moment. If you're not sending in fit notes it maybe worth considering doing this.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/universal-credit/claiming/getting-universal-credit-if-youre-sick-or-disabled/

PIP maybe an option but it's not awarded based on a diagnosis, it's how those conditions affect your ability to carrry out daily activity based on the PIP descriptors. Evidence would be needed to support a claim. See link. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/personal-independence-payment-assessment-guide-for-assessment-providers/pip-assessment-guide-part-2-the-assessment-criteria

I agree also that your water usage does seem rather high, especially as you live alone.

You don't mention any rent.. I'm assuming you own your own home?

Also just to adsd that your standard allowance rate for UC will reduce from April 2021 and will be approximately £80 per month less than what it is now, this is because it was increaded due to Covid19.

Hello Poppy12345
Thank you, I did enquire, but I am not eligible for ESA. I have to send in sick notes to UC via jobcentre and to my current employer even though I don't get paid by my employer any more. I looked at PIP too, but, hoping that my condition is improving (as it is showing signs it is) so I may not need to claim that. I remember that I don't get ESA because I do own my home now (mortgage paid off thank goodness). And thank you, I didn't know UC was only a temporary increase... Feeling overwhelmed by how kind people are and sharing their wisdom... trying not to cry. Thanks all!

Irenadler

calcotti said:

I agree with others that the obvious missing benefit is Council Tax Reduction which can be claimed from your local authority to help with your Council Tax liability - the amount of help available differs between local authorities.

Hi calcotti
Thank you, I have applied now, I will let you all know if they allow it, even if it's another 25% off it would make a huge difference at the moment. 

calcotti

Irenadler said... I don't get ESA because I do own my home now (mortgage paid off thank goodness). 

Home ownership has no relevance to ESA, perhaps you don’t meet the NI contribution requirements. However, as poppy said, if you did get ESA it would simply be deducted from UC so there would be no overall gain.

Irenadler

Nannytone said:

You shouldn't be paying 75% of your council tax. You need to apply for council tax support

Hi Nannytone
I know I am repeating myself, but I want to thank everyone who has commented, and yes I did finally get my bottom in gear and apply. They can only say no, right? 

RobinHill

Hi, I use Sky mobile (O2 network) SIM only £4.50 / month for 12 months, think it is normally £6 month. Unlimited calls and texts and 3GB data / unused rolls over. Your fuel and water do seem to be very high. I am a single person in a two bedroom bungalow and my dual fuel is £40 / month, and water £15.

Spoonie_Turtle

Irenadler said:

Hi Spoonie Turtle, like your name 

Yes, thank you, I finally did apply at last for CT reduction. I will update you all if I do get it, fingers crossed.

Yes, the licence fee is hefty now, I will take a look into that. You know, I never even thought about getting rid, it is just one of those things you don't think about as it's 'what everyone does'.... 
Definitely, giving myself a face palm moment over the charity, as Mrsn says, it doesn't have to be stopped for good.
I have a cheapo Tesco phone I own that isn't internet connected, and because of things in my past, need to have it fully topped up in case of emergencies. Family also need to know I am ok and connected... 
Batch cooking, yes, I like the sound of that. I only have a small 4 drawer under counter freezer but I am sure I could use it better. Thank you for that link, I might be on there for some time... 

Thank you, and that's great to hear you've been able to use some suggestions already

RobinHill said:

Hi, I use Sky mobile (O2 network) SIM only £4.50 / month for 12 months, think it is normally £6 month. Unlimited calls and texts and 3GB data / unused rolls over. Your fuel and water do seem to be very high. I am a single person in a two bedroom bungalow and my dual fuel is £40 / month, and water £15.

Interesting idea. Ireneadler if you find a cheaper plan with unlimited calls and minutes you could either turn off mobile data if you own a smartphone and simply don't use the internet on it, or if your phone is an old brick or flip style ('dumbphone') then the data would be pretty much irrelevant. Unlimited minutes and texts would mean you never have to worry about running out of credit, and there are sim-only longer contracts as RobinHill mentioned above, or rolling 30-day 'contracts' (such as giffgaff - which also uses the O2 network, the same as Tesco and evidently Sky).
[Of course without knowing your exact situation, please forgive me if that is an inappropriate suggestion; I am aware there are some circumstances when simply having mobile internet available at all could be a problem.]

whizzywoo

I would definitely look at reducing your House and Contents insurance.  I managed to get ours reduced from over £30 per month to £13.44 per month, mainly by knocking off the Accidental Damage cover.  Try using the Comparison Sites for some quotes.  Depends on where you live of course.

Your Water Bill does seem high.  We pay £49.37 per month over 10 months not on a meter, in Lancashire - don't know if water rates vary depending on where you live.

whizzywoo

Check this out about Water Rates for vulnerable adults https://www.water.org.uk/news-item/more-support-for-vulnerable-customers/

Don't know if it would apply to you but might be worth a try.