Page 29 - link magazine

NEWS & VIEWS 29

COPING WITH THE COST OF FUEL BILLS
by Karel Edwards, Mondy Advice Worker with Swindon CABx
A high fuel bill can come as a help you. Your supply will not be Step 3 - Look at ways of paying Supplementary Benefit you can
shock even when you are ex- cut off for 14 days if the fuel the bill. ask the DHSS to make direct
pecting it, but the longer you board are informed. * Instalments/Budget scheme payments from your benefit.
leave it the more difficult it will If all people in the house with - you can pay a weekly/monthly These will cover the ongoing fuel
be to deal with and the fuel board incomes are pensioners the fuel amount to cover your ongoing costs and an amount towards
may disconnect your supply. supply will not be cut off between use of fuel and to repay the arrears (currently £2.95 maxi-
Without going to court, what can 1st October to 31st March if you arrears over a period you can mum).
you do to prevent this? arrange to pay what you can afford. Once you make the * Fuel Stamps - may be a way
afford. arrangement you must keep to it, of helping you to save for future
Step I - contact the fuel board. * If the DHSS/Social Services so check carefully what you can bills.
You may be protected by their cannot help you, your supply afford. If you think you are being * If you are on Supplementary
code of practice if: should not be disconnected if asked to pay too much get advice. Benefit or Housing Benefit Sup-
* You receive Supplementary you arrange to pay by instal- * A slot meter can be installed if plement you may be able to get
Benefit, Unemployment Benefit ments or have a slot meter it is safe and practical and can be extra weekly help with heating or
or Family Income Supplement. installed. set to collect enough to pay the a grant towards your bill or the
* You have children under 11. arrears. Remember that if your cost of draught proofing. The
* You are blind, severely sick Step 2— check the bill. meter is burgled you may be council can also give grants for
or disabled. Is it an estimate? Does it in- asked to pay. loft insulation.
* All the people in the house clude payments for goods or If you are on Supplementary For further advice contact
are pensioners. services? Is it in your name? Get Benefit the DHSS may pay for Thamesdown Citizens Advice
If so contact the DHSS or advice if you are uncertain. installing the meter. Bureau, Faringdon Road,
Social Services to see if they can * Fuel Direct - if you are on Swindon. Tel: 28303 (10 a.m. -
4 p.m. Monday to Friday).
FINDING YOUR WAY ROUND SORTING OUT PAUL'S
THE MORTGAGE MAZE PLANNING GOLD STRIKE
Last month Sheree People of West Swindon solicitors Morrison and
Masters considered some points about buying a house. Here she MYSTERIES
explains mortgages. The municipal planning process
I. Types of mortgage c) Pension bewilders many and frustrates
There are three basic types: Very similar to an endowment, a others. A useful guide published
endowment, repayment and pension mortgage may suit you if by Thamesdown Council's Plan-
pension. self-employed. Again, you pay ning Department gives a back-
only interest, the capital being ground to planning and explains
a) Repayment repayed out of the proceeds of a how the process works. It also
Here, you make payments of pension policy. If you aren't in explains why planning permission
both interest and capital; more pensionable employment, and is required and how to go about
interest than capital at the start, need to arrange a pension, a getting it.
more capital than interest at the pension mortgage can kill two The booklet, which contains
end of the term. Usually the birds with one stone. You can get some very good colour photo-
amount you pay increases to- tax relief on the premiums you graphs, is available free of charge
wards the end of the term, as you pay, which makes the scheme to callers at the Planning Depart-
pay off the capital. This may more cost effective. ment Counter at the Civic Offices
seem alarming now, but the huge in Swindon or from the Informa-
sum you now have to pay each 2. Which lender? tion Centre in the Brunel Arcade.
month will seem peanuts in a few Who should you borrow from? Paul Bearne, 26, of Toothill re-
years time, and so will any The most important factor is cently received the Gold Medal
increase. often cost - who offers the in the Duke of Edinburgh's
lowest rate? However, some Award Scheme. Unfortunately
b) Endowment lenders may apply lower income he was unable to travel to
With this method, none of the multiples than others - and the London in December to attend
capital is repaid during the term; one offering higher multiples the award giving ceremony as he
you pay interest only. To ensure may charge a higher rate of was in Hungary acting as a tour
the lender is repaid at the end of interest. Again you need to shop manager for local rock band
the term, you deposit a life policy around. Watch out for arrange- Tokyo Blade.
with the lender. At the end of the ment fees - unless money is really Paul completed all the tasks
term, or if you die before, the scarce, you should have no prob- required in the scheme over a
policy matures, pays off the lem finding a lender who will not year ago. In the skills section he
mortgage and (hopefully) gives charge such a fee. Some lenders made videos, for community
you a lump sum. Endowment will not instruct your own solicitor service he was involved as a
mortgages were once an excellent to act for them; if your solicitor Scout Leader, his fitness was
idea, when tax relief was given does act for the lender, this will demonstrated in canoeing and
on the life policy premium. This usually be at no extra cost. If the for an expedition, he spent
relief has now been abolished, lender instructs a separate firm, WANTED several days in the Welsh Black
and whether endowments now you will have to pay that firm's SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS HOW Mountains.
have much to offer is debatable. costs, which could add up to TO DESIGN CONSUMER Although he is involved with
An endowment may suit your £200 to the total bill. SURVEYS. rock music and theatre lighting
needs (particularly a low cost, The Link magazine wants to find at present, his long term aim is to
low start type) but don't assume Remember, if in doubt, you can out whether it's readers are make a career in video. Looking
it is the best option just because consult a solicitor for advice getting what they want. back on the 'D.O.E.' award he
it's the first (or only) one before you sign the application Please contact the Editor, commented, "It was good fun;
offered. Explore all the options. form? 13 Castle Dore, Freshbrook. everybody should try it."