When it's freezing and you can't put the heating on and breakfast is porridge made with water...

[UndertheCedartree]

AIBU to wish so hard the uplift was never taken away? We were doing so well with that extra amount! But now that has gone and utilities have gone up we are left with little for food and heat.

Sorry, this is just a vent! Nothing anyone can do but I'm just feeling a bit upset this morning.

I'm so sorry you're struggling

It's disgraceful what the government have done. Is there any other help you can access?

Just a small tip could you get a big tub of milk powder and add a spoonful of that to your porridge? Skimmed milk powder is more common i think, but NIDO is full fat a teaspoon per portion would add a lot of creaminess and it's only about £1/100g.

Food bank referral
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/get-help-paying-your-bills/grants-and-benefits-to-help-you-pay-your-energy-bills/

www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-500m-support-for-vulnerable-households-over-winter

You may be eligible for this OP.
You apply through your local council.

Still so many in this country that don't realise this is the daily reality for many people. No one in the UK should have to worry about having enough to eat.

Have you applied for the warm home discount? I don’t know what you have to do but I saw it mentioned on MSE,so it must be trustworthy.Sorry you are having a hard time

Have you heard of an app called OLIO? It's worth looking into if you haven't. There is no guarantee of stuff going local, but it's worth a try

I second the Nido suggestion - our big Tesco sell it, usually in the foreign food section. x

I hear you and I’m so sorry

Try and go outside for a walk every day. Makes you feel warmer when you come back inside. I wear my dressing gown over my full day outfit when I get in after work. That is lovely and warm. I can't wait to get wrapped up!

Also haven't had the heating on yet and wear a dressing gown over clothes.

It is so tough - even food banks are not the answer - ours you can only access 4 times a year so would tide you over a week but that's all. A cheap jar of jam can go a long way to make porridge more palatable as well as the powdered milk idea above - i have been there myself.

There is little that i can say to make your life better but i can promise

I never have and never will vote for this type of society.

I'm so sorry. No one should have to do without heating this time of year.

My local CAB does a general money advice service where you can book an appointment to go through your finances and make sure you're getting everything you're entitled to. Could you see if yours does similar? Your local office (rather than the national website/helpline) will know about any local schemes as well as the things people are suggesting here - I'm sure you've done your own research but it's such a complicated area there are all sorts of weird little things you might not have come across.

Missing point and I'm sorry you're struggling (been there, not fun!), But porridge is made with water...?!
We had a period in life where I had £20 for the week for food for family of four. I was told my cab at the time that I was better off feeding my family and going into arrears in bills as there were measures in place for not being able to pay bills.

I’m so sorry OP. It really is shit.

You’re probably already doing everything but just incase, these are things I’m doing for the heat situation.

Closing all blinds and curtains before it gets dark. Tucking curtains in behind radiators even if radiators aren’t on just to keep the curtains as tight as possible to the window.

Having our showers at night before bed so we are getting into bed warm and able to sleep.

If you can- a hot water bottle for everyone.

Putting our next day clothes round the hot water bottles in our beds. The HWB stay at the bottom of our beds once we are in so we aren’t getting them sweaty. I find the HWB are still slightly warm in the morning so our clothes are warm and we get changed under the duvet. Makes a real difference to retaining our body heat instead of getting out and undressed in the cold bathroom. Make sure and put slippers or shoes on your feet too as soon as you get up.

Rugs, blankets, even towels on any draughty floors. Roll up a towel and put along the bottom of draughty doors or windowsills.

I was better off feeding my family and going into arrears in bills as there were measures in place for not being able to pay bills.

This is a very good point.

@tiredanddangerous - thank you so much - have support to follow all angles, I think. Hard to get very far quickly with benefits. I am hoping for some backdated PIP and a loan from UC but very slow going.

@suspiria777 - thank you so much I will have a look for that!

@Alittlenonsensenowandthen eew no way eod I make it with water unless like the OP I was struggling. I always make it with milk (possible due to being Scottish)

@Hankunamatata - thank you so much. My DD's school has given me a red voucher and I can collect some food on Tuesday

@Bonsaibreaker - thank you for that. I will ask about it at my next Child in Need meeting.

@loveliesbleeding1 - thank you, I have

@Xmassprout - no I'll have a look, thank you

@Ukholidaysaregreat - lovely tip, thank you. We do have blankets on the sofas which helps a lot in the evening.
@Upamountain43 - I'm sorry to hear you have struggled too and yes, same re: voting

@suspiria777

Just a small tip could you get a big tub of milk powder and add a spoonful of that to your porridge? Skimmed milk powder is more common i think, but NIDO is full fat a teaspoon per portion would add a lot of creaminess and it's only about £1/100g.

It works. I mixed a couple of teaspoons of coffee mate into some hot water before adding it to one of those packets of cheese and broccoli pasta when I'd run out of milk

@raspberrymuffin - thank you, it is always worth keep looking.
@Alittlenonsensenowandthen - yes, but it is nicer with a little milk on the top especially when you have nothing else to top it with and cooked with some milk makes it thicker in my experience. But yes, it is still good food. I just felt a bit guilty serving up thun, watery porridge this morning.