How to help people not freeze?

[ThejoyofNC]

I'm just wondering if anyone knows of any ways in which anyone who wants to do so can help people who are going to be struggling this week? As temperatures are going to drop to -10 degrees.

So many pensioners don't have their winter fuel payments and the thought of people freezing is heartbreaking. Not sure how much I can do physically as I'm pregnant and have a baby already but there might be somewhere I can donate?

Hi there Tory bot 🙄 those who are genuinely too poor to heat their homes are entitled to pension credit. Maybe donate or volunteer to Age U.K. if you are interested in the wellbeing of the elderly.

If you have a community hub/food bank ask them if they would be willing to give out donated electric blankets. Then set up a local appeal for donations. Out community hub did this last year and 50 blankets were bought in about 3 days and distributed.

People with an income of a few pence or pounds above the pension credit limit are still in poverty.

You could offer to help any older people you know apply for pension credit if they don't already receive it. Many find the process too difficult or embarrassing and just need someone to give that helping hand.

I put a note through some older or less able neighbours door to say if they needed any errands or shopping done to give me a call. Take bins out esp when its icy. Basically anything so they didn't need to actually go outside unless absolutely necessary, or they really wanted to. Took two to their book club rather than them getting the bus. That kind of thing.

Lent an electric throw last year but was a bit nervous they would trip on the lead. Didn't think of that when I offered - only when I saw where the nearest plug was.

You could donate to Age UK.

You know they would have to pay for the electricity (which is vastly more than gas for heating) don’t you?

Electric blankets use very little electricity.

Electric blankets heat the person, not the house, and cost 2p an hour to run.

Not if they have a partner still below pension age. Having a younger partner wont stop a pensioner feeling the cold

It's very cheap to run and warms the person not the house.

Lovely reply, speak to my 80 year old mum who lost my dad 3 years ago and his state pension that she entitled to takes her a few percent over the pension credit limit along with her 5k savings.

I hope you don't freeze when you get old, the removal of the winter fuel allowance was disgusting and spiteful and totally unfair for pensioners who are already below the minimum wage.

And just so you can sleep at night of course I've topped up her electric and paid for her fuel, on money I've already been bloody taxed on. Basically the burden falls on the family now.

What a shitty reply which says far more about you than the OP.

People on PC are now better off than those on a full state pension having paid up NI stamps but no private pension. On PC you get top up plus no council tax, free dentist, and WFA.

Is your user name supposed to be ironic?

I'm just pointing out that those on just a state pension and no private pension might be worse off than those on PC. It's a fact. I think all pensioners living on less than.minimum wage should get WFA. Why are you so snippy?

This thread is about heating any pensioner who needs it.

Warm hubs were set up a couple of years ago in libraries and community centres @ThejoyofNC and that electric throw donation thing is a really good idea. But the best thing we can do for our elderly neighbours and others, is to check on them.

It's not only pensioners who have health conditions which might make them feel the cold more.

I have some things to drop into the local church who helps homeless people but the only thing I'd have to offer for heat is a hot water bottle and flask. I'll ask them though what they think is best for donations. I feel silly for dropping off lovely hardcover brand new books and skincare but I'm really struggling at present and that's all I have. I could get £3 of food but that would be all for now as my pay got messed up in December (not a good time) so I'm waiting until it's sorted. I can't go another month without it.

Chat regularly with a homeless person , he says the most welcome thing is clean, dry socks. Maybe you have a local charity you can donate socks and maybe gloves to.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions, will see what I can manage to do today. I can probably afford a couple of electric blankets so might start there.

To the first poster, I'm sorry that you are so miserable and mean minded that you see someone trying to do a good deed that way.