Hi
Hope everyone is keeping warm this winter If you live with a lung condition, you’ll know how important it is to stay warm in the winter.
If you would like to know more about the warm home discount scheme- winter fuel payments- cold weather payments. You can give us a call on 03000030555 and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
I do hope this helps
Take Care
Terrel
Thank you for the information. Xx
Thank you but having a lung condition doesn't count for anything extra in allowances.. does it ?
I think you can apply if you're on benefits - possibly PIP ? Dunno, anyone in hardship can call the number above. It's tough for sure with the massive rise in gas prices, I'm lucky that I can move around to keep warm (no star jumps though), I'm keeping to 17° or 18° and heating goes off at night & most of the day. I do feel for those on low incomes and singletons who bear the brunt of all the bills on their own
Ì would be cold at that temp and i can move around somewhat.! But I have large windows and if the sun shines then choose it down and leave heat going through to north facing room. Still costs a bomb .even now . I worry about my sister who just has her state pension.
Very scary for her, she's probably entitled to pension credit and the warm home discount? I have some savings to supplement the meagre pension (and thermals from skiing days)! Will sell up in a few months for a smaller place. Counting blessings that I can.
Me too…I’d be frozen! In winter we go 20degrees..maybe 21/22 when it’s really cold 🥶 outside.
I was wondering that if I’m allowed because I’m in the ESA support group, but I’m obviously not in the older person’s group.
People on benefits. pensions, and low income generally can apply to the Warm Home Scheme. Access it through your gas and electric supplier. It's worth £140 per year - £70 for gas and the same for electricity.
Also if you have under the minimum amount for a pensioner to live on ie currently £179.60 for a single person, and £237.00 for a couple then you can claim pension credits. But you won't get it if you have savings over the amount allowed or other income ie work or private pension. It also opens up a raft of other possible benefits ie less council tax etc.
I used to work for the DWP and keep up to date with changes.
Thank you for all that information! That’s really helpful!
I hope you’re doing ok?!
Dee x
You are welcome Dee. I don't claim to be an expert on benefits but do have some knowledge as I worked in the system for years. I have kept roughly up to date with changes too.
I am ok thanks, except my sciatica has come back. I am trying to pluck up the courage to get up and go to bed!
Hope you are ok? x
My weather station in Kitchen say's 8.9.c so maybe i should open window let some heat in?
these flats are so cold even Polar/Penguins claim Cruelty!
Ambulance people said other week it's too cold i said i'm ok.he said no too cold tried to explain issue with trying to heat room with rad at one end it heats there then pulls cold air in through floor/walls so feel a chill which then makes me feel ill!
And it's Heat or Eat can't do both just use Gas for cooking but they have only been charging standing charge as i wasn't using it at all but have with gas hob so have to give figures and run! but if too high will chop it and use my fishing cooker as won't even £30 of gas on it a quarter which is standing charge.
Best of luck oscarbravo. It’s hard. We eat a lot of baked potato’s (nutritious and cheapish) as the oven warms the kitchen where there’s no heating in our old house and heat rises into our living room 😁
Sadly PIP doesn’t qualify you for the scheme.Having just looked up scheme it also appears to have reduced the criteria for eligibility. 😢 possibly in part because with current rises, many many more people are struggling with fuel costs BUT is well worth people having a quick check to see if eligible.
If you are of state pension age you can't make a new claim for PIP, but if you were on it before hand you keep it when you retire.
For those at pension age you would claim Attendance Allowance. Unlike PIP there is no mobility element but there is a care one ( you don't need to have someone to care for you) which you can use however you want ie taxi's, cleaner, etc.
It is worth having as it is either around £50 a week or £80. It is also not means tested and won't affect any other benefits.
We’re just on basic state pension without savings and as far as I can see not entitled to any help tho we got an extra £100 in pension last month. We’ve had to turn heating right down wearing extra clothes and sit in blankets. The amount food has gone up is shocking so we have to cut back on that too.. we are ECV so still don’t feel safe to go to markets etc. we don’t have a car so still relying on deliveries. Plenty in our position.
It would be worthwhile having a benefits check. CAB could do this or some local councils have money units. If all you have is basic pension it may be that there is extra money out there you can claim. No harm in having it looked at…..
Look on gov.uk. If you are below what the government says the minimum for a pensioners is - £179.60 for a single pensioner, and £237 for a couple then you need to apply for pension credits. However if you have savings over the amount, which you say you haven't, or any other income ie private pensions then you might not get it.
You also need to look at Attendance Allowance too.
Hello
Here is some information for you to have a look at blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
Again if you would like more information and advice on benefits/ heating costs please give us a call we are open Mon-Fri 9-5 - 03000030555
Take Care
Terrel
Hi Again
I have added some really good useful information to see if anyone is eligible to claim blf.org.uk/support-for-you/...
Hope this helps
Have a great weekend
Terrel 
Thank you. It has been terribly difficult to get hold of CAB people. Really useful info.
You can ring up a disability place or Age UK, Help the Aged etc.
We have a property in England, also in Malta - which being retired we used to spend time in both with cheap flights - but with the pandemic over these past 2 years have spent most time in Malta which thank God was the best thing we did as my husband was diagnosed with cancer, had operations & treatment which as he says he would probably be dead if we had been in the UK. BUT as we are now in Malta in the winter (although we have both worked & paid taxes etc all our life) we do not receive the allowance for heating, although it it cold here, also we often used to come back home in Jan/Feb to Surrey, so I really feel we are being discriminated against. We both have pre-existing medical conditions which is the reason why we are here as we feel safer then in the UK where when we were there last year, we couldn't see a doctor, I found it frightening. We don't receive any benefits, never have, still have to pay a silly amount of council tax for a small flat - I'd love to know how all these people get all this money for heating & other things - perhaps it's because we are old & have always paid our way, the way we were brought up - we are now taken advantage of.
Do u not get state pension
We came home Wednesday to a very cold house - broken heating. Eventually managed to arrange engineer for Thursday but it was horrid going to bed and getting up. (How quickly we forget our early days of ice on inside of the windows) Finally fixed by 7 ish last night. Phew! New part being fitted next week. I really hope we can manage to heat and eat.
Car service with Heating System Decontamination Service.
bronchiectasis breathlessness worse in heat
.motorbility payment 
Wild flower meadow and others
update on 4£00col fuel payment
