Single income home

sharrison21

Krakkkers said:

The help is targeted at households so £400 per energy account, so you are getting the same help as a couple or family?

But that couple or family have 2 incomes. Double. It doesn’t cost half if your on your own. And there’s extra help for some people 

GingerTim

 I'm in the same position as you, don't have (or don't want to have kids in my case), have a mortgage, work at home two or three days a week, but I consider myself more fortunate than most. Reduced commuting costs that more than outweigh any energy rise, none of the expenses associated with having kids, lower food and other bills, lower heating bills as I'm in control of them. That said, pretty much everyone is in for a really crappy time economically over the next few years.

sharrison21

pochase said:

Do you get benefits? Than you will get the additional help, otherwise you don't.

Btw the extra help is paid per household, not per person, so two people living in the same home get the same as one living alone.

No i get nothing. And yes £400 that doesn’t cover the increase? And it doesn’t cost half if you live on your own. It would save me £000s if i did. 

MattMattMattUK

sharrison21 said:

pochase said:

Do you get benefits? Than you will get the additional help, otherwise you don't.

Btw the extra help is paid per household, not per person, so two people living in the same home get the same as one living alone.

No i get nothing. And yes £400 that doesn’t cover the increase? And it doesn’t cost half if you live on your own. It would save me £000s if i did. 

Most of us get nothing when it comes to benefits. The £150+400 was not designed to cover the increase, it was designed to cushion it somewhat. No one is saying it costs you half if you live on your own, but that is your choice, you cannot expect other taxpayers to fund your lifestyle choices.

400ixl

sharrison21 said:

Krakkkers said:

The help is targeted at households so £400 per energy account, so you are getting the same help as a couple or family?

But that couple or family have 2 incomes. Double. It doesn’t cost half if your on your own. And there’s extra help for some people 

I know single income households who earn far more than double many families. So just being a single income should not be a factor.

The total household income should be what is important. Fortunate to not be in this position, but aren't things like UC means tested against the household and not just the individual?

Have you looked to see if you are entitled to any sort of income support?

sharrison21

I hope you’re all proud of yourselves, i came here desperate for help. I already earn less than my male counterparts I’m unlucky in love so I’m on my own. I’m struggling to afford the increase in EVERYTHING. The only help doesn’t cover the increase. I get nothing for the fact I’m doing it on my own it doesn’t cost me half to be on my own. And the only time I’ve asked for help i get told i shouldn’t get help for a lifestyle choice? What choice? 

MattMattMattUK

You are not the only person living on your own, many do, living on your own is not a criteria for handouts. Everyone is facing cost increases, that is why the vast majority are cutting back, economising, finding ways to spend less across the board.

The handouts were not designed to cover all of the cost increases but to help, the fact that you expect taxpayers to completely insulate you when they also face these costs themselves is why people do not agree with you.

The choice is yours, you stay you live in a house so you could rent a spare room to a lodger, you could move to a smaller and more economical property etc. , that us your lifestyle choice.

If you want help then many on here will be willing to help you find ways to economise, it is Money Saving Expert after all. 

*Not that it is relevant to the validity of the debate, but for reference I am single and live alone.

LindsayT

What makes you think a couple or family automatically have 2 incomes?

sharrison21

LindsayT said:

What makes you think a couple or family automatically have 2 incomes?

Most do. And if they don’t they can. And if one is unable to work they get benefits. 

tghe-retford

The Child Poverty Action Group suggests single people are the least likely group to be in fuel poverty, even couples are more likely to be in fuel poverty. Err... how does that work? Unless only one person in a family is working, I can't see it. And every family I know, both people work. You could argue a large family in a large household has it bad but a single household has one income, they are not going to be a high flying city worker earning six figures. The dating market is so bad that it is seen as only having "subpar" people with no compromise allowed so the chances are, people are going to remain single.

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation suggests that 54% of low income single households will be in fuel poverty already, the highest percentage in any of the households by a long distance. Which matches other charts I have seen in relation to fuel poverty and households. You can't force people into relationships, many can't downsize as they already live in one bed houses and bedsits. And there is no appetite to help singles compared to couples and families.

The ones who will be stuffed in future will be those who are not eligible for benefits but are low paid and live alone.