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?

My energy bills are £90 a month, fixed for 12 months until March. So the £400 straight to my energy bills covers the extra this winter. It will go up in March, then April, but I will turn the heating off as soon as my fix runs out and I'm not thinking about Winter 2023/4 yet! The £650 will be used for other costs of living, such as the £90 a month bus to college for my DS.

As we are on a 'legacy benefit' (child tax credits) it seems we cannot even have the first payment until the autumn - so it'll probably go to pay off the credit card that has been used to cover the increase in our cost of living over the last few months.

Mine went into my bank. Used with normal funds to pay for everything including, food, uniforms, childcare, heating, electric etc.

We’re lucky enough to have 2/3 disabled in this house which means we get ALL the top-ups except the OAP one. 😍

haven’t decided yet, but the PS5 is a good call…

gin/rum, designer puppies, Chanel lipstick and probably just blow the rest.

Me too. I was thinking of the Seychelles too? I wouldn't have to heat my home while I'm on hols?

Yes, I always thought a big purpose of uniform was that it is an equaliser for the haves and have nots, no pressure to keep up with the Superdry kids when a dress code is given. Now uniform prices are eye watering, schools cream off a small amount from uniform shops on logo clothing contracts which the parents have to pay through the nose to purchase.

Logo uniforms and fancy dress days are very difficult to keep up with.

You're preparing yourself quite rightly because the tone of your post is tone deaf!
If you think that people who qualify for this payment are "lucky" in some way and have money to dwindle it on feckless things then good luck to you. Be grateful its not you who needs it (because if you did, you wouldn't say this)

How dare they! Should be publicly flogged.
If they want to have access to money like that they should work harder or become a politician get given a taxpayer-funded home sell it off at a profit send their kids to Eton and deprive our public schools of proper funding so its graduates end up criticising each other instead of you.

Mine is going towards either a better wheelchair or a mobility scooter.

Is that OK OP?

Some people I know earn 1 - 2k a day. Those idiots spend their money on fast cars! 🤔

Firstly it’s a cost of living payment so it’s not for energy exclusively- it’s for the overall increase in the cost of living

I strongly suspect that people will have to use it for things other than energy due to the increase in food, petrol, school
clothes etc

there’s really

The energy payment goes straight to the provider. The split payments are cost of living, and to be spent however is deemed necessary. That might be school uniforms, or food or a day out so mum doesn’t absolutely lose her mind in the holidays. Doesn’t matter, not any of our business. I’m sure we’ve all learned the bare basics of budgeting.

Don't think I've ever read anything so condescending. What's it got to do with you? I spent mine on vodka and fags, will send the kids out begging when they get fed up of eating bread and Marge.

I plan to spend ours on designer clothes and handbags!! 😉😉

Seriously though, you can't police what people spend money on, and nor should you be able to. Some will budget as sensibly as possible, others not so much. Everyone's circumstances, needs and tastes are different.

You have to mind your own business even if those choices may seem unwise.

I'd love to see the budget of a Mum on low income and/or benefits compared to the budget of a high earner. I think you'll find that the high earners are more frivolous with money than those on low income or benefits. High earners are usually worse than low income earners at budgeting. They are incapacitated to imagine what a rainy day might be like.

I'll give you an example. A person on benefits will focus on the basic necessities such as food and housing. A high income earner will splurge on unnecessary things such as a skinny latte twice a day, a fast car (or two) a luxurious home, taxis, holidays, fancy restaurants, high end pale ales etc.

A Mum on benefits will be trying to look at nutrition, roof over her head, basic clothing.

Who is wisest?

You wish you had a serious illness or disability?

Get fucked, then fuck off some more.

It's a cost of living payment. My daughter needed new (all school branded) blazer, jumper, pe kit and shoes. I also did a huge food shop.

Massive weight off my mind.

So shoot me 😁

Please don't eat Marge.

WOW!

I think you missed the sarcasm

I thought there may have been some bashing but I now feel safe enough to comment... I got the first COST OF LIVING PAYMENT (not exclusively for energy FYI). I work part time, single parent, 1 DS preschool age. Yes I bought some Christmas presents. I put most of it in my savings. I can save £20ish a month and still manage well. Because I'm lucky. I know when costs continue to rise I might not be able to save as much but we still need an emergency pot.
In reality I would rather not have these payments. I'd prefer the cap on fuel and energy. This would obviously mean no rising cost of living, no need for a cost of living payment. I know tax will increase next year, us who got the payment will get the blame... and what happens next winter? They'll not give people £650 a year. This is a short term fix, causing a divide in the public, we're too busy arguing amongst ourselves we're forgetting who is actually to blame. I'm worried about the future, I can't see an end to this.

I can't stand Judgey people like YOU

The government (who lets be honest is not exactly generous re welfare) has decided a top-up is needed. I suspect the vast majority of people getting the payment are worried about the winter to come. It seems perfectly sensible if people are using it for children’s school shoes, coats etc and for them to be spending/saving it in any way that the recipient thinks works best for their household.