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 first installment is tucked away for Christmas. Otherwise there will be no presents.

Check your privilege.

So if I use mine to pay off my credit card bill…which is they likely plan for it. Which would then get me out of debt…at a ridiculous APR due to mistakes 6 years ago. Which would them leave me in a better position to pay gas, electric and fuel bill then you (OP) would judge me for not putting it on my energy bill?

most people are actually capable of managing their family budget in a way that is fit for them!

Clearly not otherwise they'd not be in a position to need £650 from the government to help pay for anything

I have no issue either people spending it how they need if they think bills will be under control I'm the next 12 months.

Just don't come crying for more next March when you have to choose between eating and heating as you had the ability to choose, so be responsible for those actions.

This is what I thought too . My life will be cut short by my illness and this stopped me in my tracks, they must be joking . Yes I will get a payment but only the £150 . I will put it away/save it as I am frightened what this winter will bring.

This is my retirement plan.

It all just goes in to the pot. So what if that particular money isn’t ring fenced for energy costs? The energy will still get paid for and a family have now just been able to buy a new washing machine outright and another family have been able treat their kids to a rare day out. Shock horror. People can plan and budget their money however they want.

If this is the case then isn’t raising interest rates completely the wrong thing to do as poor and middle earners are far more likely to have debt and mortgages than savings??

Sadly - Raising rates is and always has been the right thing to do. Cheap money is the problem. Massive misallocation of capital and deep disenfranchisement have been the result.

There is a world of pain ahead either way though. no easy ways out.

We are all going to need to accept a drop in living standards and do our bit to help others in worse circumstances 🤷🏻‍♀️

@Trying20 Thank You .

We're not eligible for the £650, but I couldn't give a flying monkeys what people choose (need) to spend it on. Food, fuel, utilities, school uniform or even - shock, horror! - a treat they haven't been able to afford for a while. Ideally it wouldn't be spent down the pub, but even if it was that's putting money back into the economy.

Wind your judgemental neck in.

I dunno whats funnier here, the pearl clutching OP or those who really can't comprehend sarcasm.

Anyway, as one of 'those' people, I shall be spaffing it up the wall merrily on tattoos, puppies, CAKE and probably pies.

Probably what should happen is all of us 'those people' pauper scrounging feckless types should be given vouchers to pay off our leccy and gas bills and to take to the shops and be given dry pasta and a lump of government cheese, because we can't be trusted with actual money.

Better yet, if the gummint could house us all in one place, and give us something meaningful to do all day, some sort of work... in some sort of huge house... then that would be REALLY cost effective and we'd be fed and warm and so on. I mean not too fed or too warm, that'd be ridiculous. Just a cocktail sausage and half a tuna sandwich will do us.

5 x 80 inch flat screen teles. 4 x PlayStation 5’s. 1000 fags from bob down the road who snuck the into the country for me and several nights on the piss 😆

Oooh yes @Trying20 that would be marvellous, and probably the bag of porridge oats would last a couple of months, they'll only need a spoonful a day as they won't be doing all THAT much!

It's a benefit to help ease the cost of living crisis. It's at the discretion of whoever receives the benefit to decide what they do with it, whether it's replacing their kid's school shoes or repairing their washing machine etc.

Also yes I would rather buy my kids toys when they haven't had any for a while due to having to pay hundreds for fuel than to give it all to some Energy company who's CEO's are not having to sell they're Yachts and millionth home to afford to live.
I pay all of my bills but that's right now, it looks like my energy might be going up to £700 a month apparently, no matter what I would not be able to afford that so i would give them that £650 and my kids would "suffer" but eventually I STILL wouldn't be able to keep the bills being paid even though I had that help because i STILL wont be able to afford the £300-£700 a month electric, the £80 water, £160 council tax , you see what I'm saying?

i get £300 a month jobseekers
£ 300 a month for children
£300 a month disability payment
£400 housing benefit

That's what i get so either way something wont be paid. Whether that's food, bills or housing and YES I am prioritising those and unfortunately electric and gas come after food and housing and even though i budget those its still going to be hard for people with everything going up, our food budget has gone up from £70 a month to £160 for the same foods. Just taking off my food/household budget leaves me with £240 a month. That's to pay bills, travel, any emergencies, school uniforms etc

I don't moan about it but YES I would prefer to spend the money on my children as a treat. right now my bills get paid but only because i spend every spare penny on my bills and get help from and try to reduce as much as i can, sometimes i even skip meals to afford to feed my kids, doesn't bother me as long as they can eat and from January I have a job again but until I'm working that's how it is.

I'm due my first payment in the autumn. Does anyone have any idea yet what date 'in the autumn' falls on?

@Trying20 what can I say…bob from down the road does provide 😆

The cost of everything has gone up massively and everything has been a bit miserable for a while. I’m fortunate enough that, although I’m cutting back, I still have money for some luxuries and treats.

If someone qualifies for the cost of living top up, they have undoubtedly been feeling the pinch for a while. Hopefully that £650 will allow them some relief, if it stretches to a treat then I’d be pleased for them.

also no I didn't JUST buy kids toys, they only came to about £100 but i had a few days out to a kids event they wanted to go too and bought some school uniform which cost £120