To think some might spend £650 energy payment on other things?

[Hemklop]

I'm prepared to get flamed here, as I know the benefits system is a touchy subject.

However, I was just wondering whether many people will not use the £650 lump sum payment for it's true purpose, given that it's the summer holidays and there are lots of temptations to spend on other things.

These people then won't be any better off when it comes to the winter?

I think you are lost OP, you need the Daily Mail comments section to share your bullshit views.

People need the payment because they are paid a pittance and the cost of living is spiralling out of control, not because they have money management issues!

I'm blowing mine on gin and kittens.

If you are eligible you will get the payments, it depends on your personal circumstances. There's lots of info online if you google cost of living payments

And therein lies the rub.

One person will incorporate the 'windfall' in their budget. Another will let it dribble through their fingers like sand.
Some will say they don't need it and donate it all to charity.

What's the answer?

I’m sure the majority of people are sensible and will spend it on what they need, whether that’s their energy bill or something else. Those few that aren’t and spend it on frivolous things, well… that’s their problem.

Are you suggesting people shouldn’t get it at all? What do you think should happen?

Its a cost of living payment. Not an energy payment.

I got the first instalment of the cost of living payment. Tbh it disappeared into household budget but I’m paying my massively increased energy dd so that counts. Cost of living has increased across the board food, petrol etc. not just energy bills. Start of the summer is a great time to give people a boost given the expenses of having kids home for the holidays.

It's a "cost of living" payment. So it's for...the cost of living. In case you haven't noticed, that has already gone up. It's not just to do with energy bills.

It's also not being given out in one chunk, specifically to help people budget.

" these people"?

Well tbh I was a bit surprised when an acquaintance, who moans about the cost of heating, announced that she was spending her payment on getting rust treatment on her sports car, but as other posters have said it’s none of my business, so I just kept quiet.

Well it's a cost of living payment, not specifically an energy one, but yes, I agree, some people might spend it on other things.

Do I care? No. Why would I?

It’s a cost of living payment……

FYI I’ve just spent mine on fripperies….hope that helps 😦

And if people spend it on frivolous goods and services, well hey it will stave off the looming enormous recession for another 5 mins!

I think summer seems quite a sensible time to give it - people will have DC at home (so need to buy extra food) and then need to buy school uniform/shoes.

I used some of mine to buy a second hand washing machine, we had been without one for over a month 🤷
Me and dh both work, were not sat at home pissing our money up the wall, how patronising do you want to be?
I'm perfectly capable of budgeting and i think you will find the majority of people on lower incomes/benefits are probably more cautious and sensible with money since we have more limited amounts.
Your faux sincerity of caring what people spend the money on is grating and sounds like standard Tory waffle. The fact me and DH both work and yet STILL have to have support from benefits to be able to afford to live is surely the bigger issue, and were not an isolated case it is the same countrywide.

I got the payment. It went into my bank account. It got spent. On my day to day living - bills, mortgage, rent, food etc. I'm sure some of it was spent on frivolous items such as ice creams or a takeaway, but I didn't realise I had to account for every last penny being spent only on what certain people approve of.

Do you receive benefits, OP? Will you receive this payment?

Yes? Then how will you use it?

No? Then none of your beeswax.

But I will answer because I've received the first part. I've used it for a builder to repair and plaster part of my kitchen that is always damp and covered in black mould so that it doesn't keep spreading into my living area in the winter when I can't afford to put the heating on. Is that allowed? Or should I have just given it straight to E-On???

It’s a ‘cost of living’ payment so can be spent any way the recipient needs to spend it in order to survive. HTH.

@RobertaTheRobot

How very frivolous of you. Surely you should be down the laundrette queuing after work feeding the machine the pound coins….. or scrubbing it at a lake or river. Carrying it on your back of course.

People spend money on things that matter to them shocker. Call the daily fail.

Means testing is massively cumbersome and expensive. But you could keep warm, patrolling your little estate checking that the underclass are behaving as you require them to.

Ive had mine, spent some of it on a new blazer, PE skirt and school shoes for DD.

Does that meet your approval?

This is really petty. The government awarded the money based on need. End of. How recipients spend the money will differ according to their needs. The £400 is different as it is being sent £100 per month to energy companies.

It will go into the family finance pot and be used for whatever the recipient feels it's best used for. It's precisely none of anybody's business what that might be.