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?

Do you really believe that? You think they will carefully set it aside? I don’t.

Just for the record, state pension is an entitlement. It is not a benefit.

This is the cost of living payment not the payment that goes to the energy companies.

Therefore I would expect people to put it against the cost of living e.g. on their day to day costs. This like food, clothes, bills etc etc

And you know what if some people want to take their kids on a trip out because otherwise they wouldn't be able to afford it because the cost of living has gone up then fair play to them.

Its to offset the rising cost of living, not to make parsimonious judgemental posts about.

It will burn a hole in many peoples pockets I’m sure, whilst others will use it for its intended purpose. It’s just the way it is. Do you really care, or are you just being judgemental?

It is a cost of living payment which can be used in any way the recipient sees fit. Some will use it for things like school uniform, food and other bills. Other will use it for fags and booze. This is the same for any payments made to people ( wages, benefits etc). Many people are wise with money but others are not.

told my sis I will be buying drugs with mine (pensioner, I get mine in october-ish) so i won't care about the energy crisis.

Love this!

Blah blah. It's the same shit argument people make when they suggest that benefits should be given out in vouchers only to be used for bread and gruel.

Just mind your own business.

Yes OP, I expect they will all be out spending it on their goats.

@C8H10N4O2 Is your name the chemical composition for a cup of tea? Intrigued.

Of course it will be spent on the summer holidays, someone with 2 kids who usually have FSM will have to find 60 extra meals when food costs are rising then they will have to buy return to school things. Some people will need holiday clubs paid for so they can work.

Would it be better for them to lodge that money with mega profits energy companies gaining no interest while buying food shops on the credit card? Because that would be very poor money management.

Yep ours went within about 3 days. Spent it on an airfryer so we won’t need to use the oven as much, gymnastics lessons for the kids for the first half term so we don’t have to find the money in September and the rest went towards filling up the car. Does that meet with everyone’s approval?

I got mine and as my direct debit bill for heating is already ridiculous, I spent mine on school uniform. £140 was spent on just one child to kit them out for senior school, with logos on everything and even a particular pair of pe school socks.

Pensioners are getting an extra sum too. Are you going to have a go at them or just bash benefits claimants? 🙄
.

What's, in this context, is a helpful drain and is it a bad thing for money to go down it, in which case how is it helpful?

wow it must be bash the poor day on mn.

How out of touch can you be?

Maybe they can spend it on other things if they want? You know the things they have missed out on because they have been paying eye watering bills?
Maybe some have bought some Xmas shopping now to ease the burden when the time come

Any day that ends in a y is a bash the poor day somewhere on MN

I received my first payment end of july and immediately paid my £260 electric bill, im also very grateful for the help.
Some people may spend it on other things however if people don't pay their gas and electric bill, they will often get put on a pre pay metre. So they would then be without gas and electric if they don't have the money to top up. Most people don't want to be without gas and electric so ultimately they will spend money on it.

I actually think that something that can be done to help families on a practical level is to say that state schools are not allowed to demand logo uniform is worn. This would help families with multiple out to the tune of hundreds in some cases.

It’s not for electric it’s for living. I’ve had to use mine to pay off my credit card which I had to take out and use to buy food and petrol. That’s how shit things are.

Someone'll be along in a minute to tell you why it isn't. In a very non-judgemental way, obviously.

And if you're really blessed, they'll be a few people who'll tell you what you should have done, had you only consulted them before being so impetuous and profligate.

I absolutely agree

Plain black trousers, a sweatshirt of the right colour, and plain polo shirts. The kind of things you can pick up from asda or tesco at reasonable prices.

Children shouldn't be priced out of education because their parents can't afford the right PE socks