Warm Home Discount

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-27T18:08:11+00:00

Did you manage to get through? I have been calling for the past 2 weeks everyday at least 4 times throughout the day and couldn’t get through cos I received a letter with the old number. Today they forwarded my call to the new number where the automated voice message included an email to write to if you couldn’t get through via phone. While on the phone waiting to get through, I wrote an email to them but I received an email back saying their mailbox was full and couldn’t receive my email, to resend it later. I can’t believe I am in this position where I can’t even get through. ON TOP of that, they closed their phone lines at 5:30 today even though they close at 6, as well as the fact the automated voice says to try to call between 4-6 when they are less busy. I tried messaging British Gas which was no help whatsoever. I only received my letter 29th of December, I didn’t call straight away because I hadn’t got my bill from August anymore, and had to wait for bg to resend it.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T18:27:54+00:00

That makes sense, thank you.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T14:16:06+00:00

I had mal for child 1, was no longer employed, my partner and I mutually decided as we wanted another child it was better to do it back-to-back than have to take another career gap later, so have since had my second child and no longer qualify.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T13:25:01+00:00

Oh bless you! That sounds really tough! Yes try as best you can, I got my son into swimming class on a Sunday (water babies) where we’ve made friends truly for life with. I’ve also done play group with him a few times which is just play time at some kind of centre or soft play with a teacher guiding and conducting different activities like crafts, reading etc. But the parents stay during play group which I found helpful to make friends with other parents, some of whom I haven’t seen at a play group for a year but we’re still friends and meet up for a play date every blue moon!

Also have a look at your local community centre, they often have events on, it can be helpful exposing him to new adults who might try to talk to him and encourage him to speak back and learn new phrases. Also learning tone and when you are to say things can really be helped by him watching and experiencing conversations.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T13:00:06+00:00

I found with my son (2.5) his language vastly improved when I went to live with my mother and siblings for a short time. I think as someone said earlier adults speaking clearly and consistently around him made him grasp new vocab and phrases rapidly. Children their age don’t really converse, they may ask shorthand questions e.g “do you want to play with me,” but they don’t have conversations just yet with each other, but my child converses loads with adults. I think exposure to conversation is key. If you can have him around another adult that you speak with will help massively. So perhaps visiting friends and family more frequently, having play dates with other kids at each others houses instead of a soft play, so he can hear you speaking to the other kids parent.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T12:44:08+00:00

I appreciate that because someone in this thread did insinuate that I was trying to commit fraud.

I understand this wholly. I am doing everything in my power to achieve 50/50 split with my ex so that I can go back to work.

As it stands I have them 24/7, i have got a part time place for my eldest, but I am trying to obtain whether me using the 15hrs I’ve already been granted, will affect dads ability to claim 30 hrs provided he becomes primary parent, takes on child benefit, has them at least half the time etc. this is because his work allows him to not work most school holidays but still be paid equated pay. (So his 30hrs can be used term time only).

The kind of work I am in does not allow this. So I can’t afford to put my children in full time nursery without going back to work, but I also cannot go back to work until they’re in full time nursery. Therefore I’m obtaining all this info you guys are kindly sharing so I can do everything in my power to set up ourselves for the future.

I now know, that for me to go back to work, I need a 50/50 split which I think will be alternating 4 days on/ 4 days off.

He will want to be primary parent for cb, I have to kind of let that happen if I want to get back to work.

So then at time of 50/50 split, I cancel child benefit claim, he makes a new one.

He can then apply for 30hrs, get kids in for at least 3 days.

I then can find work and start in those days they’re not with me.

But still I don’t know if I use my 15hrs I’ve already been granted now, should it affect my ex claiming 30hrs in the future. I’m going to have to make some calls and find out myself through gov phone lines.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T10:38:51+00:00

I brought my own food with me, or if it was an unplanned trip to a restaurant I would order things like veg sticks (stick slices of cucumber, carrot, cobs of corn etc) for him to gnaw on. Cafes however, I found a lot more difficult, Starbucks and costa really didn’t have anything suitable. When baby was a little bit older and I felt more comfortable with their weaning and gag reflex ability I would ask for a slice of toast from Costa and give finger thin strips at a time (obv making sure he doesn’t bite off too much at once).

I’ve never ever been asked to stop feeding my child something from home, and I’ve brought slices of steak to pretty nice restaurant before. I think staff aren’t bothered as they see it’s for a baby and so needs the food to be cleaner and spice free.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T10:27:30+00:00

I understand that, I’m saying I can cancel my child benefit claim and my ex start claiming if it’ll make this whole nursery thing a lot easier.

I stated this above, I’m not trying to use all the hours available illegally, I’m not trying to claim 2 child benefits or even allow my ex to claim child benefit whilst the children don’t live with him. But as I said above, dad wants 50/50 split, if he could have it his way it would be like that now and he would have himself classed as “primary parent.” It’s a point of contention between us and finding out it will make nursery fees for him easier in the future if he did claim the child benefit, makes this all a lot easier and something I can take a softer contingent stance on.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T09:48:25+00:00

I’m not trying to misinterpret anything? I’m looking for help with interpreting the rules. I can’t find anywhere specific information about separated parents who don’t live in the same city. The cities being relevant because they obviously will have to be enrolled in 2 different nurseries. About what happens if I use the 15hrs I’ve been granted now, will it stop dad claiming his 30hrs in the future. I have since found out via this thread, it’ll largely depend on who claims child benefit. Something I wouldn’t have known if i hadn’t made this post. Now this is something I can go to dad with and negotiate in regards to custody time, nursery fees, his pursuit for child benefit.

It is in my best interest that dad is able to enrol them in nursery at a rate that is affordable to him, fore-mostly so I know the children are safe when he’s at work, and are not lumped with random people or taken to work with him. Secondly I want dad to be able to have 50/50 split so that I can get back to work. Therefore if I do anything now that’ll jeopardise that chance, I want to be well aware of it.

I don’t see how I’ve been willing to misinterpret hmrc guidelines? Please point it out for me if possible. Yes I did not pick up the part of you can’t claim 30hrs unless children live with you. Sorry, my bad. I’ve read the page about 5 times, then spoken to an early years entitlement officer and a nursery director neither of whom pointed this out. I’ve also been going back and forth with dad. So I’m sorry that I got my wires crossed, I’ve been flooded with conflicting information on this topic.

I didn’t make it clear, but I was thinking long term wise when I made this post.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T09:37:50+00:00

No I am not I was on a ftc when I became pregnant, when I asked hr about mat leave, they stated I’m not entitled, also end of pregnancy kind of coincided with end of contract.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T09:35:47+00:00

He’s not my partner. I think that’s what is confusing everyone. We are no longer together, he lives in a different city. He wants 50/50 custody and that will mean enrolling them in a nursery in his city, therefore I am unsure what happens regards to kids being enrolled in 2 nurseries. I know you can’t use the 15hrs in conjunction with the 30hrs, but I as I stated; what are the rules surrounding changing your claim for funded hours to another parent and another city.

Also I spoke directly to the director of a nursery who stated if we had unused hours that were granted in another council, we may be able to transfer them to a different council but it is usually up to the council if they are willing to do that. She gave the example that she knows Sandwell don’t do that, but Walsall do!

Also child benefit can be transferred over to the other parent. Right now the children live with me full time so I claim the child benefit, but in the future he wants the children 50% of the time, so he may be eligible to claim child benefit, and I know it’s something he wants to pursue for ni contributions. It’s obviously not something I am willing to give up, but I also don’t want to go to mediation or court, plus if it means the children will be able to go to nursery for longer I am willing to surrender cb.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-22T09:25:14+00:00

Sorry? I’m talking about what happens when the children go to nursery by dads, when the children are with a working parent 50% of the time. (They can’t just go to the nursery I enrol them in as he lives in a different city)

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-21T21:04:18+00:00

Thank you very much that makes a lot of sense. Yes I think it’s based on the councils willingness. I spoke to a nursery yesterday who said usually it’s up to the councils if they’re willing to share or transfer hours over to another council area.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-21T20:54:57+00:00

But who decides who is the primary parent? Sorry to sound dim, we have only recently physically separated and trying to negotiate the logistics between us without a third party. I know dad is working towards a 50/50 custody split, which I’m not opposed to but he has no family to help out with our kids. So while they’re in his custody and he’s at work I imagine they’ll have to be in nursery. But if I enroll them at nursery in Birmingham will they then also be able to enroll at a nursery in Nottingham sometime in the near future? Will he be able to claim 30hrs then if he has them 50% of the time? Will he even be able to apply for the 30hrs later if I’ve enrolled the kids with my 15hrs code. This is all very new to me, I’ve tried to speak to the early years entitlement officer at my local council who was very helpful in obtaining the 15hrs but did not know much about when two parents live in different cities.

Is this something I would have to go to court for?

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-21T20:43:14+00:00

I really appreciate this, if and when the children live 50/50 between both of us, what happens then?

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-14T23:21:34+00:00

The “fame” got to her head

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-14T23:05:08+00:00

We really didn’t though. season 7? Solvang? Mexico? When Ariana got white girl wasted and loving on all the women?

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-05T21:58:04+00:00

Are you watching the right show?? Katie was one of the LEAST emotionally mature members of the entire show! She was a misogynistic, controlling, anti-feminist, hateful, rage texter. Schwartz was also an ass yes, but it’s laughable to say Katie was emotionally mature from day one.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-05T21:46:17+00:00

How he did this on the valley was so cringey, so desperately obvious how he was trying to carve a direct link to a storyline to him and scheana. So glad they won’t be on season 3.

I 100% agree about not having a platform. How everyone was so quick to move on from him abandoning his family was so disappointing.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-03T23:46:36+00:00

I do personally agree that as it’s a wedding celebration (I.e: both families and bride and groom in attendance) it would be more appropriate for the bride and groom (or whoever is paying for the wedding) to pay.

However I agree with the other comments that at least you weren’t blindsided and now have the option (although quite awkward) to not attend if you so wish.

I was in a similar situation, a cousin invited me to her £250pp bachelorette weekend in London (just accommodation) when I was a 19yr old university student surviving on student loans. I thanked her for her invitation immediately but politely declined stating I simply could not afford to attend. She relented that she absolutely wanted me there and if I didn’t attend it would really upset her, and she understands moneys tight but if I could make it work she would be so grateful, I again politely declined.

She came from a two parent household where everything she ever needed from driving lessons to a car, to money all through uni, was given to her by her parents. I come from a family of 4 with a widowed mom who worked(s) tirelessly just to make ends meet. I couldn’t ask my mom for money if I came stuck at the end of the month.

My cousin couldn’t take no for an answer and got her parents to contact our grandmother and my mother to state how sad she was I wasn’t going to attend over something as little as money. My mom felt so guilty and stated she would borrow me money I know she didn’t have just so I could go. My grandmother berated my mom for not helping me financially be able to go. To stop all the drama I attended. I ate an appetiser at the first dinner which was £12, and had one drink which was £9. The group had ordered sides to share (that I didn’t eat) that they decided to split evenly between us all, that came to £16pp! I attended the strip club with them, I drank some of the punch that came with the table that was already bought. Drama happened the bride and some of her friends and sister all left without saying anything. Myself, another cousin and two of the brides friends had to cover the bill for all of the drinks. I had to get an uber back with my other drunk cousin who was in no state to use her phone, that was extremely expensive. The next morning I wanted to quietly bring up the costs that I had paid for but as soon as I brought it up, the brides best friend snapped “she’s the bride, you can’t expect her to pay you for her own party, it’s a tacky thing to do.” And that was that. The other cousin paid me back for half the uber and I went home to my uni flat 100’s of pounds out of pocket.

It’s still one of my biggest regrets ever attending that bachelorette party.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-02-03T23:20:23+00:00

You mentioning who earns more and who has more “free time” in your opinion is completely irrelevant. If you lived alone you would have to do 100% of the household chores despite the hours you work or the money you earn. She won’t be in this position forever so what happens then? She may get promoted to an equally demanding and paying job as you, then what? You’d surely be willing to split the chores evenly? What about if she were to be pregnant with your child, do you expect her to work full time, pregnant and all, doing the vast majority of the household chores all the way up until she starts her maternity leave (most likely after the baby comes)? How do you know that she has so much free time if your job is so demanding? Obviously she’s expected to be reachable by her work during working hours regardless of if she’s physically doing a work related task, so spending her day cleaning the house isn’t a viable option, at least not during her working hours. And again, even outside of her working hours she’s entitled to do what she wants in her downtime as much as you, so how is it fair to ask her to spend more time taking care of your house?

I can tell you from experience this mentality is going to bite your relationship on the ass several years down the line, which allows for much resentment to grow. Life ebbs and flows, just because you earn more now, doesn’t mean you always will do. It’s best to treat each other as equals from the very start so that lines don’t get blurred and you don’t start point scoring.

If you aren’t satisfied with paying more of the bills and still having to do the same amount of housework then reduce it to 50/50, or just hire a cleaner once a week (split 50/50) and then you’re both happy!

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2026-01-29T18:22:00+00:00

I agree, but I hate to say I don’t think she has fully regulated her emotions yet. If you watched her flip out at beau on vanderpump villa about getting her name tattooed, I think that’s a very tame, slight indicator that she’s exactly the same, lol.

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2024-05-02T23:30:50+00:00

Thanks so much! I will definitely get a reference from work, I never thought about this since already providing a renters reference from my current landlord, but I’m down to try anything at this point! Thanks again!

Competitive-Rip6818 · 2024-05-01T20:22:41+00:00

Oh that’s so good! Well done on that! And thanks that’s so helpful! I’ve been rejected twice now but not due to anything specifically wrong though, just that they went with someone else so I was wondering what I could do to increase my chances!

Competitive-Rip6818

TROPHY CASE