The big chill is coming...

[max_tranmere]

I heard last week that the temperature is going to drop to -4c this Wednesday, and today several newspapers and TV outlets have said that it could drop to as low as -10c. Everyone is agreeing that it will hit on Wednesday, and the chill could last for a month. The north already has snow in various places from what I've heard, but the whole country will likely be under snow, followed by ice, within a few days. London will no doubt ground to a halt as usual. I remember a few years ago they cancelled all the buses here, something that didn't even happen during the Blitz!

Someone said to me today that if you are on Benefit and it drops below a certain temperature you get a ?25.00 extra payment. So everyone on this forum who is on Benefit could be quids-in! It does concern me a bit because my flat is already quite cold but within a few days it will be intolerably freezing - sitting there with three jumpers and three pairs of socks on. Is anyone actually looking forward to the forthcoming big chill? Some people say that 'organised chaos' is actually quite fun because it makes a difference from the normal routine of life.

[spunkie]

Its called "winter"! Usually happens about this time of year in the UK! Google it if you dont believe me!

[andy at handiwork]

'...if you are on Benefit and it drops below a certain temperature you get a ?25.00 extra payment.'


Are you suggesting that my 99 year old father shouldn't receive this help with his extra fuel costs since he's 'on benefit'?

[number 6]

I think thats what hes suggesting yes,par for the course on this forum.

[Gusset Sniffer]

Chuck another banker on the fire!

[tuf766]

I have a wank to keep warm.

[max_tranmere]

The ?25.00 'winter fuel allowance' (as I've been told it's called) is very much deserved for anyone on Benefit if the temperature drops to below a certain figure. Pensioners especially deserve it. My only criticism would be at those people who don't spend it on fuel but on beer, and I wouldn't be surprised if a minority of Benefit people did.

[andy at handiwork]

'Benefit people'? You make them sound like a group from a Victorian handbook on the deserving/undeserving poor. As for spending it on beer, my dad uses it towards for the exorbitant home care charges by the local council

[max_tranmere]

If you bothered to read my last comment you would see that I said pensioners especially deserve it. As for 'Beneift people', I mean it the same as if I said 'Benefit receivers'. People on Benefit in other words.

I've never viewed pensioners in the same catagory as people on Beneift anyway, I view them as pensioners. People on Beneift, Benefit people, Benefit receivers, and so on, are those of working age who are claiming.

[Ned]

You only get the cold weather payment if there are seven consecutive days of zero or below temperatures.

There's a reason people on benefits get this money, it's because, unlike the Daily Mail "life of Riley" stereotypes, they have fuck all money.