Help from Local Authority

SueS66

Has anyone tried to get help from their local authorities?

We live in a rural area with no gas supply so have to rely on heating oil. I have looked at the Crisis and Resilience fund application on our county council website but it is definitely means tested.

I thought Ed Milliband said yesterday that it would not be?

GrumpyDil

My recollection is that it was to support lower income individuals/families so I fully expect it to be means tested and the new funding is being provided from April so not available yet.

Dustyevsky

I'm fairly sure it will be 'targeted.' This means those of us too poor to have switched to alternative energy and battery back-up, but too rich to qualify for the usual means tested benefits, will fall through the crack, as usual!

I'd be delighted to be proved wrong!

lohr500

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81928012#Comment_81928012

Yep!!! 100% agree.
Seems very unfair when any support on vehicle fuel costs and Ofgem gas/electricity caps aren't means tested.

Qyburn

I actually have a problem with the idea that the government is expected to dish out subsidies whenever a commodity gets more expensive. I don't know where people think the money would come from, if prices are rising then the government and local authorities have (even) less spare money to hand out.

lohr500

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81934991#Comment_81934991

In principle I largely agree with you.

Where I disagree is that it seems unfair not to apply universal support on heating oil and lpg, when at the same universal support is being applied to mains gas and electricity.

Qyburn

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81935221#Comment_81935221

Well yes I agree with that as well, if it's a general subsidy for electricity and mains gas then it would seem unfair not to offer something for user of other fuels. At the moment I don't think any subsidy is paid or proposed for mains gas or electricity. The much talked about price cap drop next month is due to removal of charges that were never applied to other fuels.

Frances63

Means Test for all or means test for none.

What's wrong is to single out only oil heated homes for means testing. Especially as for us the increase is even greater. It's more than doubled so far.

I live in a housing association flat and I'm on a small private pension as my only income. I rely on my dwindling savings. I'm on my own so there's only me to pay for everything.

I therefore don't qualify for any payouts that are means tested despite earning under the basic rate tax payer threshold.

I can't afford to top up my oil.

I'm sleeping with my dog now to keep warm, & he blows off, a lot, so it's no fun.