Long hard winter ahead?

[JamesW]

So yesterday we got the delightful news from our energy supplier that our gas and electricity payments are going to be more than double from next month onwards. I don’t know about anybody else here but I certainly feel the cold a lot more than I did and I am also in the house a lot more than I used to be…..therefore it stands to reason that our energy usage here is going to be higher than an average home. To be honest we are not quite sure yet how we are going to quite afford all of this.

This morning I had a look to see if there is any help for people with disabilities to cope with energy costs this winter and so far I have drawn a blank…. so it looks like I’m going to be wearing an extra jumper and pair of socks these coming months.

Today we have to go back to our supplier to get them to doublecheck their figures but to be honest it’s not looking good. This has really got me thinking about how everybody here is going to cope this winter and whether at some point some help steps in for us all.

Take care and stay warm, James x

[denise]

Thing is at the moment its colder inside than out.

Stephen's attendance allowance has come to an end. I shall have to look into single resident council tax.

Putin might solve everything 😳

[Bowler]

Don’t know if this is of any use James. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/co...-energy-bills/

[JamesW]

Don’t know if this is of any use James. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/co...-energy-bills/

Thanks Bowler…. haven’t seen that page before very useful 👍

[WheelsOfSteel]

I foresee a rather dim Christmas too.
It would take a brave soul to festoon the outside of their house with lights this year, and I can't imagine local authorities will want illuminate city centres.

[Heather R]

I find it complicated to follow all these payments, hoping they will drop in place where due, because what with being on a ventilator most of the time, and shivering uncontrollably at the slightest temperature drop…….

[shelly21]

JamesW its a very real concern. I know we are getting £150 one off payment from pip benefit. Then the £400 from the government.

Its all the devices also. Electric bed, alternating mattress, charge powerchair, niv... the list goes on.

We are lucky in one room we have a log burner and a friend with a shed business. This will certainly help in the day etc. I've purchased real wool oversized cardigans that I can also wrap round my legs.

But its so scary how vulnerable people will cope.

[JamesW]

Update…… some good news (ISH) in that our energy provider had overestimated our fuel consumption for the winter and after be provided with proper meter readings the increase has gone from totally extortionate down to just bloody expensive

[JamesW]

I find it complicated to follow all these payments, hoping they will drop in place where due, because what with being on a ventilator most of the time, and shivering uncontrollably at the slightest temperature drop…….

Heather, as I understand it if you pay for your energy through direct debit on account with one of the energy providers then the subsidies will be automatically applied to your account. If you are on a prepayment meter then you will be provided with vouchers to use.

[Heather R]

Oodies are the latest must have for winter apparently x

[Ellie]

Yep, I think we're all in for a tough winter 😟

It's the heating bills which concern me most as, like others who are immobile, sitting around all day doesn't exactly do much to get us warm, let alone keep warm.

I've stocked up on thermals, knee length thermal socks, fleece lined trousers and know I'll be wrapped up like a little burrito in my wheelchair at times, rather than have rads on for hours on end.

I only charge my wheelchair, hoist, food pump etc on night rate electricty but as Shelly said, we have so much essential electrical equipment that it's impossible to cut back on its use.

[Ellie]

Oodies are the latest must have for winter apparently x

Get you, bang up to date with fashion trends, I had to look it up!

An Oodie, if you're a fashion pleb like me, is this:



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[JamesW]

Get you, bang up to date with fashion trends, I had to look it up!

An Oodie, if you're a fashion pleb like me, is this:



image.png

Swit swoo 😘

[denise]

Mid calf would be better but how tall is that young woman? I've bought mini dresses that hang below my knees so it would probably be OK for me. Oodies? What happened to dressing gowns I remember the big candlewick gowns and bedspreads. Think I'd get a big mouse costume and terrify my cats. 🙀

[Peanut]

Given the recent announcement of potential blackouts: some energy providers offer the option to register as a "vulnerable customer" (EDF calls it Priority Services Register) which may help getting arrangements in place to cover power outages. I don't know if they'd actually provide a generator or somesuch, but may be worth a try.