How to cut down when you can’t.

[Gilead]

So, gas and electric are crazy. I’m disabled. I need to shower every day, sometimes more than once a day. I have a stoma. It can leak. This means extra showers and a washload almost every other day. It also means having the heating on, at least first thing, so that I don’t get ill after the shower. I’m on benefits, this is going to be a roller coaster!

I think the government will have to look after the most vulnerable. I think they will bring in extra help for disabled people and those on very low incomes.

That would be a lovely idea @Babyroobs but I honestly can’t see it happening.

I often think that if all MP’s and the prime minister, had to live on the lowest hourly rate/wage the country pays for a full time employee or someone on minimum benefits, then things would get a lot better very quickly for the whole population.

Sorry op I don’t have any practical advice. It truly sucks.

Being cold doesn’t make you ill?

ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill

No but it's the extra gas and electricity needed for showers and washing clothes. Do you suggest OP sits in dirty clothes and doesn't shower?

@ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill?

It can do because it can lower the immune system. There is evidence that shows that living in a cold home is associated with poor health outcomes.

@Babyroobs, if I were in opening posters position, I wouldn't rely on this government to suddenly develop a conscious. Unless, of course,the red t
tops start shouting about it, then we might see yet another change in policy.

@converseandjeans

ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill

No but it's the extra gas and electricity needed for showers and washing clothes. Do you suggest OP sits in dirty clothes and doesn't shower?

I’m referring to the bit where she says she needs the heat on in the morning so she won’t get ill, did you read the OP?

@Babyroobs

I think the government will have to look after the most vulnerable. I think they will bring in extra help for disabled people and those on very low incomes.

🤣🤣🤣

Apparently PIP is going up by 3%, while inflation is 8%, and disability benefits have already been cut to the bone over a decade.

So no, disabled people are getting significantly poorer this year and the Government - unsurprisingly - is not and has no intention to do anything about that.

It woule cost a miniscule amount from the national budget to put a lock on uprating disability benefits like they did with pensions.

Why don't they? Why do pensioners deserve this upgrade to maintain living standards - apparently on the basis that most of them cannot realistically increase their income - yet disabled people do not deserve the same upgrade to maintain their standard of living at the same level, when the same is true for most of them in terms of no options to increase income?

This policy choice was made because pensioners are a larger group who vote more consistently. Nobody cares that disabled people are in poverty unless they happen to have personal experience of it or a family member who has.

A society can be measured by how it treats the most vulnerable. If we cannot stand up for this, for at least demanding inflationary increases in disability benefits, then we are not civilised people. Who is doing that? Many disabled people cannot do it on their own behalf.

@ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill?

It does for people with certain disabilities, yes. It's also torture for people with certain sensory issues. But no warm homes grant or winter heating allowance etc for the disabled. Only the elderly.

Treating the most vulnerable members of our society live this and making them live in poverty and fear is a national disgrace.

I haven’t got any answers I’m afraid OP but that sounds really tough 😞 and nobody in this country, least of all the disabled should be living with this level of poverty.

I thought the pensioners are not getting the triple lock this year either.

@Gilead are your water & electric company aware that you are disabled and how it affects you?

Definitely worth mentioning to water company as some give grants towards people with medical needs that means they do more washing than the average family.

@Gilead have a quick look at the watersure scheme, you may be eligible.

It's worth speaking to your local CAB, sometimes there are things out there but not well publicised, it's almost like they don't want people to claim them 😒

Are you washing (laundry) on cold? That’s the only thing I can think of. I started spicy this and so far it’s fine, though I think you’d need high temps or something like napisan when stoma leaks. Oh, and maybe you can get a water saving shower head that makes it feel like more water is flowing than really is, so you heat less - idk how much they are though.
I’m sorry it’s so hard.

I started doing this, no idea where spicy came frim

@ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill?

No but it makes your more susceptible to illnesses.

@IamTheEvilPea

It woule cost a miniscule amount from the national budget to put a lock on uprating disability benefits like they did with pensions.

Why don't they? Why do pensioners deserve this upgrade to maintain living standards - apparently on the basis that most of them cannot realistically increase their income - yet disabled people do not deserve the same upgrade to maintain their standard of living at the same level, when the same is true for most of them in terms of no options to increase income?

This policy choice was made because pensioners are a larger group who vote more consistently. Nobody cares that disabled people are in poverty unless they happen to have personal experience of it or a family member who has.

A society can be measured by how it treats the most vulnerable. If we cannot stand up for this, for at least demanding inflationary increases in disability benefits, then we are not civilised people. Who is doing that? Many disabled people cannot do it on their own behalf.

The triple lock has been suspended, pensioners won’t get bigger % increases than any other benefit recipient. Of course, anyone who is really interested in pensioner poverty might ask why the oldest pensioners get around £40 a week less than those who qualified for state pensions from 2016 onwards.

I feel for the OP. DH needs to keep warm, and whilst we have both our pensions, its manageable. If I die, I don’t know how he’ll afford it. Single person households are often the most vulnerable.

@ZeroCaffeine

Being cold doesn’t make you ill?

I have a disability that affects my muscles. Being cold is a massive factor in how ill I am. Heat is used to treat many disabling conditions.

@IamTheEvilPea

It woule cost a miniscule amount from the national budget to put a lock on uprating disability benefits like they did with pensions.

Why don't they? Why do pensioners deserve this upgrade to maintain living standards - apparently on the basis that most of them cannot realistically increase their income - yet disabled people do not deserve the same upgrade to maintain their standard of living at the same level, when the same is true for most of them in terms of no options to increase income?

This policy choice was made because pensioners are a larger group who vote more consistently. Nobody cares that disabled people are in poverty unless they happen to have personal experience of it or a family member who has.

A society can be measured by how it treats the most vulnerable. If we cannot stand up for this, for at least demanding inflationary increases in disability benefits, then we are not civilised people. Who is doing that? Many disabled people cannot do it on their own behalf.

Why are you slagging off the fact that pensioners receive pensions they have paid all their lives for? It's a very vicious argument to say that this vulnerable group shouldn't get money because this other vulnerable group doesn't?

I retire in 11 weeks. I have worked for 50 fucking years, I have paid full contributions for all those years and I have damn well earned every penny I get as pension. I am very sorry that the disabled (and I have a disabled DH) don't get triple lock rises but I don't see that stopping pension increases would miraculously mean that PIP goes up? Or are you saying that if the disabled don't get an increase then pensionsers shouldn't either? That seems very, very small minded.

And as has been said above, the triple lock is suspended this year - is PIP or DLA going up as a result?

There are special tariffs and extra grants for the vulnerable. Make sure you apply for everything you're entitled to.

Have a look at the link below and do everything that's relevant:

www.moneysavingexpert.com/budgeting-debt-help/

Also don't forget about the help available for other costs if your utilities take up a disproportionate amount of your income.

Are you getting all the help you're entitled to, council tax discount, special broadband tariff etc?

www.moreability.co.uk/help-advice/2021/03/discounts-for-disabled-people-more-ability

Some info here

@ZeroCaffeine being cold can certainly contribute to illness, especially in the vulnerable.

OP I’m so sorry you are having to worry about this. I really hope you find out that you are entitled to extra help.