PAUL SAYS.. “D-ream on!”

They aren’t going to take your bed or toilet roll or anything like that away - they’re basic living items and excluded from the list of permissable, bailiff-able items.

just pay the 20 blooming quid - can you really not afford it when (I presume) you get 80 quid a week incapacity benefit?

- Paul’s Reply

Thanks Jim, but you don’t see the point. At one time, water and CT was all inclusive in Rates which benefit claimants got full rebate. Now its privatized, benefit doesn’t reflect the huge charges. My water bill for 6 months is £140. That’s very huge, seeing that I need to take baths regularly to ease my spine. Can I claim for it? United Utilities gave me a form but my GP refused to sign it, but did agree that they (GP’s) recommend warm baths at night for those who suffer back pain. Those on any benefit should be entitled to full CT rebate and, in my opinion, full water benefit.

Why? Because many, like myself, have no parents to go to live with, so we live in council flats/housing. This means that our living expenses, gas, electric, water, CT & rent are higher than those living on the same amount at a relative’s home. So, the balance doesn’t weigh up. £80 to one person can be reduced to £10 by these extra living expenses due to living in council houses/flats.

Simply put, the DofW&P doesn’t make a distinction and therefore its £80 per week if you live with parents or on your own and having to pay bills.