To suggest something to do with your £400 from the government towards your fuel bill

[shufflestep]

If you happen to be in the lucky position (as we are) to not need the £400 from the government towards your fuel bills, and to think that the government has been totally immoral in the way they are handling the cost of living crisis, can I suggest that you donate the £400 to the fuel bank foundation? We heard about it via our local council on Facebook and they give grants to those struggling on prepayment meters. As a registered charity we were able to donate the £400 with gift aid, so more than the £400 we will be given will go to aid those who really need it.

MrsFezziwig ·I'd rather give the money to a charity that pays for people to have free insulation or solar panels (on the “give a man a fish” principle) - I don’t know if anyone knows of something like that?

If anyone knows any bodies helping with those things, obviously that would be a great idea - though I guess it wouldn't help renters who are often the most vulnerable.

And no, this is not meant to be a stealth boast - but given the people who talk on Mumsnet about how much they and their partners earn and spend each month, some of them can afford to do it! To those who are struggling, this is not aimed at you remotely.

Only on Mumset can people turn the OP trying to do a nice thing into an argument and whataboutery.

Yes a lot of people are struggling, and the huge rises in the costs of essentials will have a big impact on some, but not everyone, and posts like the OP, even if you don't/can't donate, raise awareness that these organisations exist, which helps people who need it.

But if you are in a position where you feel you don't need the money, you can donate some or all of it, which you might not have thought about before. Or you could donate some or all of the money to a food bank, who are suffering a drop in donations at a time when demand is soaring.

You don't need to be receiving the money in your bank account to donate the money as your bills will be lower than they would be without the £400 so the net effect is the same. You don't have to donate it all, even if you 'only' donate £50 or £100, that's a huge help to the organisation.

We donated the £150 council tax credit given earlier this year to National Energy Action which is another organisation set up to help people in fuel poverty.

Moneysaving Expert also has a section to help people with the cost of living crisis.

www.moneysavingexpert.com/budgeting-debt-help/

No, it shouldn't be up to the public to help paper over the cracks like this, and there should be more help with improving energy efficiency, which is not affordable or cost effective to many, but that's where we are, so posts like the OP should be taken as a good thing, not ripped apart.

I wholeheartedly agree, Barbara!

One of the critical posters at least goes round the board with a piss poor attitude all of the time. I would imagine the other does too, given the ridiculous attitude coming from them.

It's like they've read it's a nest of vipers on MN and are determined to bring the worst version of themselves to post here. 🙄

In our case, we would be £600 a year worse off for energy bills without the £400, £200 with it. A couple with two incomes may decide they can absorb that amount though and decide to donate the £400. If the need for charity is greater such as during the coming winter then some people are motivated to donate despite being worse off themselves too.

The OP’s message about the fuel bank being a charity and therefore it will receive Gift Aid ON TOP of your donation was a bit lost in the way she wrote it.

I agree the post was informative and not a humblebrag.

Sausage needs to “read the room”.

OP didn't say everyone was going to be better off. They said if you don't need the help. It has been done as a blanket approach (for ease and probably cost reduction) and even the richest in our society will receive it, where it will obviously be a drop in the ocean. So if you are a millionaire and don't need an extra 400 quid because you'd be happy to spend that on a bottle of wine, Consider donating. If that isn't you just scroll and past and get on with your life as the post wasn't aimed at you.

OMG it’s not rocket science. I can’t believe how many PP have said “but we don’t get the money” or “yes but the company are getting it”
If you have a direct debit for £167 your energy company will only take £100 effectively leaving the £67 that you would usually pay them still in your account. Then if you can afford it and if you want to donate to the charity of your choice, or treat yourself or just watch it get swallowed up by something else.

The attitude to discussing charity donations on MN baffled me every time it comes up, damned if you do dammed if you don't.

Thanks for starting this thread OP, you're right, going by the amount of people on here who claim to earn £££ this should be a really helpful thread.

I don't earn loads, but I live in a 1 bed flat and my biggest electric bill last winter was £52. I've calculated what a similar bill will cost this winter and with the £66 deducted I'll be saving money so I'm happy to donate any extra each month.

We may donate the £400 from our second home but will be keeping the first £400 for our bills

@SuperCamp You currently have no income due to the pandemic, April 23 is only 7 months away. Are you sure you'll be able to afford all of your bills? It's lovely you want to help, but making yourself hungry, cold, homeless, whatever isn't the way to go about it. You are struggling in other ways, I'd say you need the money as much as the next person.

That's a lovely way to pass it on, I'm sure they'll be very thankful of it.

That's a lovely lovely thing to do when you're skint yourself. It's a lot more than many people better off will do x

@MinervaTerrathorn

That's totally understandable. Everyone can use it how they need to, or wish to.

The government website explains how people on prepayment meters will get the money. I can't remember all the details as it had quite a few different scenarios!

Well, I hope it goes to people who need it and are thankfulnfirvthevhelpnothervproplevste willing to give. Not like you two with horrible attitudes.

Well I'm lucky in that I have family who are never going to let us starve or go hungry so if things get bad I won't need to use food banks/fuel banks . Plenty of people arent as lucky though so I think it's a really nice thing to do if you can afford it.

@BrokenWing also a really lovely thing to do . People who are able to help family who are struggling are freeing up the support for others who aren't as fortunate to have family to help

I can't actually believe people are getting it for their second homes, I guess it's not cost effective to sort through it all and just give it to those with one home etc. Bonkers!

*starve or go hungry 🤣 freeze or go hungry obviously !

@SausagePourHomme

the timing is very very poor

Better not to say anything and be thought a fool, than speak and confirm it.

it's Autumn, it's getting colder. From 1 Oct THIS SATURDAY, people are going to be getting their payments. Whe coukd be a better time.

you're attempting to sound superior (it's failing) it's a site for adults, they can decide for themselves if they can afford to donate all, some or none to others. They don't need you patronising them.

why you're so intent on accusing people if bragging & telling others not to donate, us rather baffling.