Can't cope any longer

spendaholic

Oh, and just wanted to add too - with my parents in Birmingham and me on my own in Barnsley, I can't nip to the Bank of Mom and Dad either. If I have no money, then I have NO MONEY. And it's horrid. So you're most definitely not on your own, and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Also (sorry, keep thinking of things ...), your phone bill looks quite high. There are deals around that include all calls and broadband for £20 per month, so that might be something worth looking into.

KAB_3

Can you not get help with the Council Tax as you're on benefits?

penniesgrowintopounds

KAB wrote: »

Can you not get help with the Council Tax as you're on benefits?

I was going to ask this, too. Also, have you checked to find out whether you are entitled to full HB? £120 seems a lot to contribute from your income. x

Mrs_Jones22

Hiya peach, it may not be of much help, but i can see you are paying £30 a month for your landline.

I have sky and get my phone, broadband(the £5 a month one as need it for work) got the 4 mix channels and my landline with them for £27 a month.

If you have sky you can get free broad band and they will also give you free evening and weekend calls, you can get the free broadband as long as you have minimum 2 mix package so that would be even less.. every little helps it might save you £5-10 a month there too.

I buy my cat food and cat litter in monthly to make sure i have it in as i too have 2 cats, i bulk buy in my food too and make up meals and freeze them such as lasagnes, currys and spag bols.

When i buy bacon as there is only me i portion into 2 slices and freeze them, infact anything that can be frozen, it gets portioned and chucked in the freezer.

I wash up every other day when there is a sink full, i dont do a daily wash up, i rinse in cold water to get worst off then wash up when needed.

On average i spend about £70 a month on food including the 2 furry beasts.

I hope you get yourself sorted don't worry i am sure there is lots of other tips people will offer you.

peachblossom_2

The £30 for telephone includes broadband. I live in an area where there is no cable and no signal for sky either and even poor reception on freeview dependant on the weather.

One question about the PDSA, the cats are registered at the local vets and i know they don't do the PDSA but can I change to a vet that does deal witht the PDSA? The £40 I would save on insurance for them would be such a big help.

I have been onto the water company and they only do a social tarrif if your receiving Income support, seems to be the same for gas and electric too.

itsgototstop

I thought the PDSA was instead of your vets? ( sorry might be being a bit thick).

Someone I know, on benefits, takes her cats to PDSA instead of the vets.

Have you also looked on entitled.co.uk to see if you should get anything else, seems unfair that you have to pay full council tax, I just put in your income etc to entitled and it said you would get full council tax releif unless you had
a non dependant living with you?)

Def worth you looking into and getting a rebate if poss

XX

itsgototstop

Eligibility


Who does PDSA help?
The free veterinary care provided by PDSA for owners who cannot afford private vet fees is not limited to dogs and cats - all popular domestic pets are treated, including those described as 'small furries' - rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils rats and mice
What are the eligibility criteria?
To be eligible, pet owners need to live within the defined catchment area of a PDSA PetAid hospital or PetAid practice and must be receiving financial help with their housing costs through either Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit. This means that one in five UK households is eligible for help by PDSA.

Use the PDSA finder to discover the location of your nearest PDSA PetAid hospital or if there are PDSA PetAid practices in your area.

Alternatively, to confirm what help is available in your area or whether you are eligible for free treatment please use the email enquiry form or call 0800 731 2502 our staff will be happy to help.
How do I register for PDSA help?
To register for PDSA help, a person must provide proof of receipt of benefit by showing an award letter from their Council or similar documentation. In addition at PetAid hospitals confirmation of personal identification is required. Once registered, the pet owner is provided with a Client Agreement that they are asked to present each time they bring their pet for treatment.

If you are not eligible for PDSA help

If you are not eligible for PDSA help, it may be worth considering a Pet Insurance policy to ensure you have peace of mind and your pet has the protection they need. PDSA Petsurance offers great value protection and there are three levels of cover for vets’ fees for accident or illness (per condition) from £1,000, £2,000 or £5,000.

Phone today on 0800 980 6000, to apply for a free no-obligation quote or visit PDSA Petsurance.

MyRubyRed

Hi Peachblossem, just wanted to give you my support.
By joining this site you have taken the best step.
Everyone here will try to help and give advice. It sounds as if you have had a really really hard time of it.
Please please believe that things can and will get better.
Have you had any councelling re your your berevement or had any one to talk to about it? You need to be able to share that grief. Am certain you are very worried about your dad too, and these thIngs won't be helping you focus properly.
Do you have any brothers/sisters who can help with visits to your dad and cut down on your fuel expenses?
Defininately PDSA for the cats wellbeing. Will save you loads.
And contact Citizens Advice asap. They will help and will not judge.
Please post again, we are rooting for you
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

lou77_2

Just wanted to say that I'm sure, although it might come as a shock to your dad I am sure he wouldn't want you to struggle as you are doing. As a parent I would hate to think my kids were struggling on their own with something like this when I could help - even if only with emotional support.

Head-Out-Of-Sand

Hi PeachBlossom,

Just wanted to add my support - it does seem like you should be entitled to more help. The stuff about the utility companies not recognising incapacity/sickness as hardship is a disgrace.

Good for you for facing up to this - it sounds like you've got into debt through sheer bad luck. You've done the right thing by coming on here, it's a great resource & lots of lovely helpful people with experience & advice to share.

I would definitely look into the council tax thing, I would expect that you would be exempt from this at least?

All the best & good luck in getting this sorted out. If you find out that you are able to go down the route of BR without it going in local paper (I'm sorry I'm not aware of how that usually works) then it might be the best way - the only thing you have to lose is those horrible debts.

Whatever you decide to do I hope you can get your head above water & get to a place where you feel more positive xxx