Facing a tight budget

another_casualty

Best wishes to you and the dog 🐕 .
You are doing so well, and are an inspiration . Great advice from all on here as always 😼

gellyp

I saw you're no longer updating but hopefully you're reading the thread still.
You should qualify for Warm Home Discount scheme on a low income , £140 a year off your utility bills.
I'm not sure if anyone's said but you should also be able to get either a cap or a discount on both your water and sewage usage.

Irenadler

Hello gellyp
I set up a bookmark on this, in case I need to go back and double check everyone's advice as there was so much of it, and in case I got offered more help so I could update. So I am reading if another post pops up on it.... Did not think about WHD that is so useful. I will enquire with my new supplier, thank you very much for that, I can only try! I think someone mentioned the water discount, and I did look on my supplier's web-site for that too. There was something on there about support that I have applied for, but, I am uncertain if I am eligible. Will definitely pop on if I get any additional help from either of those, to let everyone know. It could prompt someone else to get help if they are too nervous to post....

As a side note, I forgot to mention when on the water board web-site, there was a section of free items they send to customers to reduce water usage. I applied for that, and within a couple of days I received in the post:
Buffaloo cistern water saving device (basically a thick square plastic bag that half-fills your cistern so you use less when you flush)
Sachet of gel (for mixing in plant compost, to retain water for your plant)
Water aeration kit (for putting on taps)
4 minute shower timer (a small turn the sand upside down manual timer, like the old egg timers)
Sachet for checking leaks in cistern
I know I am not metered, but, do use too much water for the allergic dog/cleaning. So, just a heads up if anyone isn't aware of it. They also had a shower head to help you to use less water, but, didn't apply for that one...
Thanks again, I will check out the WHD to see if they can help.... 

Rubyroobs

Sorry I haven't read the whole thread so it may have been asked , but are you handing in sick notes to UC ? If you are unfit to work long term then you will be assessed for work capability and if awarded LCWRA I Limited capability for work and work related activity) after assessment then your Uc amount will increase significantly with that extra element.

Irenadler

Hello Rubyroobs
Like the nick name - it's ok, don't apologise, and yes, I am getting sick notes (now they call them 'fit notes'). I am posting the originals to U.C., but not sure if I will qualify for anything else now.
I actually feel hopeful that my MH has improved so my GP might sign me off next time I see them. I don't want to think that this is only a temporary improvement, and there is a bad stage around the corner.... hope that makes sense?

Which has the knock-on result that I am not applying for additional benefits (hence my financial difficulties at the start of all this). I have certainly slept better since all the help I have had on here to improve my finances.... I guess I will have to discuss this with my GP, as, I did try to return to work too quickly before I was well enough in the past..... No idea what the outcome would be for further assessment. Being stubborn I am hoping I won't need any of it and I can work.... it took me long enough to apply just for U.C., and only just applied for CTS. Hate having to rely on any of it. I will update though, whatever happens.  Thanks for suggesting it, as it's not really on my radar (I know, denial is kicking in again)...

KxMx

Our water supplier was very helpful, we applied for Watersure but they picked up we were eligible for Aquacare Plus which worked out alot cheaper so they put us on that instead. 

Irenadler

Hello everyone - long update post

I think this will be my last post on here, regarding my budget/benefits (I know, I said that last time!), but just had amazing news from the local council about my Council Tax Support application. Basically, almost nothing to pay, and a refund, plus I have also switched insurer's (H&C), pasting the latest information below highlighted in bold:

SECOND REVISED JULY BUDGET WITH REDUCTIONS:

Direct debit per month JULY	£/per no of payments	Totals – annual
Dual fuel (Gas & Electric)	72.50 (x 12 fixed) saved £30.50 also includes free insurance for heating x 12	870.00 (saving £366.00)
Council Tax (with 25% discount)	NOW ZERO (95% CTS)	NOW ZERO - £209 REFUNDED!!! (should have been only £80.22 to pay for year, saving 1377.64) N.B. Also this is an exceptional year for council tax support….
Water	41.96 (x 10) ‘saved’ £16.76 N.B. not taking payment in July.	419.60
Home & Contents Insurance	NOW NEW PROVIDER, NO MONTHLY DIRECT DEBIT	£99.68 FOR YEAR (PAID IN FULL) SAVES £268.68 OVER YEAR
Broadband & Landline (no t.v. package)	22.99 (x 18 fixed), SWITCHED! Saved £17.01	275.88 (saving £204.12) Also due a ‘reward card’ £50?
Pet payment to Vet (covers booster, flea/worm, one consult a year)	0 – cancelled saving £15	0 saving £180.00
PAYG cheap mobile (Tesco) – no internet connection	5.00 (DECREASED FROM £10 saves £5)	60.00 (SAVES £60 PER YEAR)
Charity	0 cancelled saving £7	0 saving £84.00
Green waste (additional fee now)	3.33 same	40.00
Set aside for dog (new not direct debit)	10.00	120.00
TOTALS	155.78 (saved £199.67!)	1885.16 (saved £2120.44!!!)

               

NOW -                                                   155.78 PER MONTH OUT

Income unchanged: £409.89

less

(Outgoings WERE:        £269.18)

OUTGOINGS NOW:      £155.78

                 (  WERE                 £140.71 remaining for groceries, etc. (£35.17 per week))

REMAINING NOW:       £254.11 PER MONTH OR £63.52 PW!

Sorry about the formatting, copy and pasted table and lines gone! 

Just to say a thank you to each and every one of you who took the time to reply and advise. I did have a major anxiety event over falling into my overdraft and sold some old jewellery as the interest was going from 18.9% to 39.9% so that was done, and a few days later got the letter from the council saying I was successful on the CTS. If I had only waited a few days... Never mind, it's done now, and a lesson learned.

From where I am now, to where I was a few weeks ago, there is just no comparison. Most of my income was swallowed up in bills/direct debits, initially leaving me with £9 per week for me and the dog, just for food, and nothing spare...
Now, less than 50% of my income is going on bills, and me and the dog have enough to eat, I was buying her food first, and bare minimum for me, losing weight, stressing out, and making my MH worse....  If I could award merit stars to you all I would!!!

Before, I thought being able to save an emergency fund was only a pipe-dream (as I had nothing to fall back on, except about 12.40 in loose change/notes, and after I sold stuff around £40 after paying off the overdraft). Now I feel it is doable, as another anxiety is being on UC, and my MH issues. I have read horror stories about sanctions and no payments which makes me feel incredibly vulnerable. This will give me some breathing space at last... 

Irenadler

Hello all
Just realised I have repeated myself with the CTS! What I meant to add was they sent another letter, not just the refund, but an additonal £150 hardship award (Doh!), so effectively I haven't paid CT this financial year, and they are giving me extra help with £150! Don't know if this is all councils? My poor brain, sorry all, I will keep taking the tablets.... 

whizzywoo

I'm so pleased for you.  Thanks for the updates.  Best wishes.

Irenadler

Hello folks
Feel like the come-back kid!   

Just a very quick final update:
Water supplier has offered additional support with bills, so I am now about £3 in credit with them! This means no monthly water direct debit at all from this month, until my circumstances change (hopefully for the better!). They do say you have to re-apply in the next financial year (and obviously if you don't need their help anymore).

Won't do a massive comparison, just to say, from initially paying out over £368 per month, my direct debits are now less than £100 (just!). I cannot believe it, that's a huge saving! It is encouraging me to feel I can save a small emergency fund,,, 

Well, as long as U.C. don't sanction me for missing 2 ring tones on my telephone appointment (they rang a bit early and I missed it, no contact and haven't rang back)... trying not to freak out anymore frankly..... 

Thank you each and every one of you, go and have a well deserved pat on the back, treat, alcohol of your choice (wish I could buy it for you), or whatever floats your boat....