Gabbie S

We've had another spell of very cold weather - a week of snow, ice & minus degree temperatures. No surprise there - it is winter after all. What is evident is how it is a struggle to be prepared for adverse weather events when you are on a low income. Firstly, even though I knew the cold spell was imminent, I couldn't afford to put fuel in my car because I had about £2.50 in my bank account at the time & "payday" - the day I receive a benefit payment was several days away. I couldn't put anything on my credit card because it had less than £100 available & pay at pump charges mean you need a minimum balance of £100 to have your card accepted. In short, I couldn't get to the shops & if I did, I didn't have enough to buy anything. Secondly, when payday arrived, the majority of the money was swallowed up by debt & bill repayments, leaving little left over to buy food. Once I had paid my bills & did some shopping, I didn't have enough money to bulk buy so I didn't have to leave the house, which is difficult for me at the best of time due to pain & fatigue. Similarly, I prefer to shop online & have it delivered - it is a life-changing adaptation for me, but more often than not I can't afford the delivery charges or minimum basket thresholds. I prefer to be organised when it comes to situations like this, but I just can't afford to do it anymore. I realise that i am fortunate compared to some as I am in receipt of all the tax credits & disability benefits to which I am entitled, but I've come to realise how much my PIP - Personal Independence Payment, is being subsumed into the household budget - I wouldn't be able to manage without it. But in the meantime, I have to go without the aids & adaptations & treatments that I need to make my life easier for which PIP is originally designed. It leaves you feeling very vulnerable to sudden life-shocks & is a constant source of worry.