Can't cope any longer

peachblossom_2

When I was first off work I received full housing and council tax benefit, then after 6 months the council wrote to say that I shouldn't have received the full amount and I had to pay back the extra I had had. I'm between a rock and a hard place here as although they don't count DLA as income they do part of the ICB and all the Industrial injuries benefit as both are counted as earned income. The industrial injuries is less than my full rent would be but it does stop me getting help re HB/CTB and the social tarrifs for water/gas and electric. It's 363 a month and I get this as I suffered an accident at work in 1982 which left me with a permanent disabiity.

I contacted the PDSA and I'm not in a catchment area and it would only cover 1 cat anyway and not vaccinations/flea prevention and worming. I have one cat that has a condition that needs treatment 3 or 4 times a year and at the moment the insurance covers that although I have to pay a £65 excess, this is with petplan.

I have made an appt for monday at the council to discuss the rent/CT arrears. it's not a huge amount but is a priority. I've also put my TV on freecycle, it's old and think it would only sell for tuppence on ebay but this will free up the £11.27 a month for the licence fee.

The best thing I've done so far is posting on here though, the support from you lovely people has given the strength to try and sort this mess out. I have no family other than my parents and son and contact with 'friends' slowly stopped when my OH died. So, thanks to you all.

Abbafan1972

Hi Peach. I have been reading through your thread and I can't offer any advice, but just to offer my support and wish you all the best.

peachblossom_2

Just to update on my situation. I have an appt Monday with the council re the arrears and HB/CTB. I have spoken to a very nice lady at Payplan who has suggested bankruptcy as the only option. The notices do go in our local papers and as I understand it you have to deal with the court nearest to where you live. But I live just about equal distances between 2, one in the next county where it wouldn't go in our local paper but need to check this out for definate.

Got rid of the TV on freecycle and sold the Freeview+ box and DVD at cash converters yesterday, not for a lot or anything like they were worth but it was instant cash and means I can feed the cats and feed the electric meter. Have used all the emergency on the gas so no heating or hot water and it's been freezing the last few nights and looks set to be for the next week so plenty of blankets and hot water bottles. A neighbour came round new years eve and asked if I would like some veg as they were going away for a week and it would only go in the bin otherwise, I did stop short at biting her hand off. So a combination of potatoes, sprouts and parsnips in the slow cooker, doesn't taste too bad but it's hot and should last a couple more days if I keep topping up with more water.

Am listing everything that's not nailed down on ebay so should make a bit there. And I've almost got through another week which I didn't think I would so trying hard to think positive.

Tibbie's_mum

penniesgrowintopounds wrote: »

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

My mother suffers from dementia, and the council has told me that when her benefit comes thru', attendance allowance I think it is, she will be entitled to a discount on her council tax. I vaguely remember the form said something about various benefits allow you qualify for a discount.

Hope this helps

Edit: I posted before seeing your latest post good luck with your meeting with the council

RoxieW

Hi peachblossom - just wanted to add my support - i think you're coping amazingly well and have made real positive steps. I wish you lived near me so I could cook for you - you've made me ashamed to think of the waste in my household.
Why dont you have a look at the up your income board - there are several ideas on their such as reviewing for money you're obviously an intelligent lady and reviewing is something that you can do from home. It doesnt pay a fortune but every little helps. Also, what about giving comping a go? There's a competitions board with hundreds of easy to enter comps - you could sell any winnings on ebay. Something like that would give you something to focus on and help keep the boredom away whilst at home.
Best of luck xx

CocoLoco_3

peachblossom wrote: »

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.

Hello. Even at the standard rate, £28pm for water with a meter seems awfully high. Have you checked with the water company to see if your account in credit? ( what a lovely surprise that would be! ) I only pay £11 a month for water.

And although it's a tiny amount ( but every penny counts ) how come you have to pay £5 pm parking? I would have thought you'd have a blue badge.

Sorry, that's me all out of ideas.

RosaBernicia

Hi PeachBlossom

I've nothing to add but support - just found your thread and glad things are looking up a little for you.

Rosa xx

slickric1234

after you do go bankrupt may it be worth considering moving so that you are closer to the town and your parents it should save a lot in petrol money and would get you away from the awful electricity meter... they seem to eat money

alternatively do your parents have a spare bedroom, if so would it be possible for you to move into it, your benefits would go far further then as rent would dramatically decrease
same question could also be looked at with other family members and friends...

chevalier

Please Please Please phone the Salvation Army and explain your situation, I am sure they would at least be able to deliver a food parcel to you, or maybe at your local church if you attend? NO ONE in Britain should be in such dire straits that they have no food in winter time and also no heating due to no money for the meter. Or phone your local DSS and ask them for a crisis grant or something.

Wishing I could do more than offer support
chev

moo2moo

Peach Blossom I read on another thread that you were having your DGS to stay. Is it safe to assume from that that you have grown up children living close enough to you to visit? I know it won't be an easy thing to tell them but I would far rather know that my parents were really struggling at a point where I could do something to help, even if it was only to have them over for dinner once in a while, than it would be to find out that they'd declared bancrupcy without giving me the oportunity to help out. They've helped me out enough in the past. Thats what families are for.

I'm sure theres a solution out there for you.