Moving to unfurnished flat....help!

perdita00

Hi, this is my first post on here. I have been viewing the board for a couple of weeks and thought I would give it a try. I would be grateful for any advice

The info:

I am 20 yrs old and a single mum. I was claiming income support but then stopped to have a joint claim of tax credits with my partner. We have now split up and after being on the homeless register I now have a flat. The joint tax credits has now stopped and they are now sending me a form to re-claim. Have interview with Job Centre next week about re-claim for IS. So at this very moment I have no income at all! Apart from CB. The flat is completley unfurnished. I applied for a loan from DWP and was given £584. This is going nowhere near to covering all the expenses. I did say in my claim that I would need around £1000, but I understand that it is split up and how much is in their kitty etc...I was given £295 for decorating cost by the housing association.

I need to get:
Cooker, washer, cot, wardrobes etc..., fridge/freezer, bed,mattress, kitchen utensils, bed linen.... everything you can think of really. I'm looking for all the cheapest out there - but its still really expensive.

Do you think I have reasonable claim for a crisis grant (right wording) ?? If I was on my own (no baby) then it wouldn't really matter - I could live on bread and butter for a bit - but I think its important that i eat proper food - wash clothes etc... sleep in a bed.

I hope this all makes sense - just say if anything is confusing.

Alleycat

You would most probably be able to claim a crisis loan (though this does need to be paid back).

You could also go to your local information shop or similar where you live and ask if they know of any organisations that have a furniture store/offer second hand reconditioned furniture at low cost to those on a low income.

I will have a look on the net to see if I can find anything. I am assuming that you've not moved from Colchester?

zincoxide

Try having a look on freecycle

https://www.freecycle.org

Would save you spending any money and you can pick up some real gems.

Alleycat

Colchester Shake Trust
Unit 2 Bloomfield Place, 25 St. Botolphs Street, Colchester, CO2 7EA
Ian Cameron
01206 543438
cfpshake@onetel.com
Provision of furniture and other household effects, free of charge, to disadvantaged families and individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford these items.

Emmaus Colchester
Unit A97, The Cowdray Centre, Mason Road, Colchester, Essex, CO1 1BJ
Lesley Corner
01206 768887
emmauscolchester@btconnect.com
https://www.emmaus.org.uk
Emmaus Colchester provides low cost furniture and delivery for people in need and raises funds towards building an Emmaus Community. The Community will offer homeless people a home and work refurbishing donated furniture and household goods to be sold in the Community shop.

Here we go, hope these are useful for you!

Also, check out charity shops, car boots and small ads in the newspaper, local supermarket. You will also be amazed at what family and friends can sometimes come up with. When we moved into our rented place from a shared house, we had absolutely nothing except one computer chair and computer desk (no mattress or anything). Within a few months, we had a sofa suite, kitchen table and sofa bed!!!

perdita00

Hi, thanks for all your suggestions. I am actually moving to Chester, Cheshire not Colchester though I have been thinking about car boots and things, but as I have no transport - decorating to be done before we move in - and the price of carpeting I can't afford to travel around much at all!

My dad has given me his three-piece suite which is a bonus though.

@alley cat: Is a crisis loan what I have already or is that different?? Isn't there some some of grant that you don't have to pay back or something??

The other thing I am wary of is buying second hand kitchen appliances. I'm just so worried of things blowing up with the baby around - sounds silly I know but I think I would rather have the piece of mind of knowing it is electronically (?) sound.

Minky2Slice

perdita00 wrote:

The other thing I am wary of is buying second hand kitchen appliances. I'm just so worried of things blowing up with the baby around - sounds silly I know but I think I would rather have the piece of mind of knowing it is electronically (?) sound.

Dont be too wary of buying second-hand appliances. you get loads of people advertising in local community newspapers for selling furniture, tv's appliances, beds etc. not neccesarrily because there is something wrong goods, most of the time they are selling, coz they bought a newer/more expensive/latest technology product to replace the old one, not because there is something wrong with the old goods!!

Minky2Slice

perdita00 wrote:

I have been thinking about car boots and things, but as I have no transport - decorating to be done before we move in - and the price of carpeting I can't afford to travel around much at all!

Don't worry too much about travelling too far for car-boot sales, once you have moved in, you will find that the local community newspaper have a section just for advertising car-boot sales in your area, so no long-distance travelling required!

mgardner

perdita00 wrote:

Hi, thanks for all your suggestions. I am actually moving to Chester, Cheshire not Colchester though I have been thinking about car boots and things, but as I have no transport - decorating to be done before we move in - and the price of carpeting I can't afford to travel around much at all!

My dad has given me his three-piece suite which is a bonus though.

@alley cat: Is a crisis loan what I have already or is that different?? Isn't there some some of grant that you don't have to pay back or something??

The other thing I am wary of is buying second hand kitchen appliances. I'm just so worried of things blowing up with the baby around - sounds silly I know but I think I would rather have the piece of mind of knowing it is electronically (?) sound.

Hi

There is such a thing as a grant that does not have to be paid back. As k at your local DHSS. I f I remember right it is called a community fund grant,

Don't panic, I know how it must all seem at the moment, starting with nothing, I had to do it myself, but before you know it you will be sorted and had a lovely cosy home.

Do consider carboots for kitchen appliances, I got all mine from there and the worst that can happen is that they blow a fuse and just stop. Obviously you must be a bit selective when choosing. Have a good look at the item, kettle toaster, slow cooker whatever if it looks in good condition then its worth a go.
Never buy anthing where the cable or lead is frayed. My kettle and toaster were virtualy brand new and only cost a couple of pounds,

Wishing you all the best for you and your baby.

CIS

Try your local YMCA, I know around here they do furniture and applicances for those on a low income.

shellsuit

What happened to all the stuff you were using when you were with your partner? ie, cot, wardrobe, bed etc??

black-saturn

Does the flat have an oven? Sometimes rented accomodation comes with an oven. If not start with the most important items such as something to cook on, sleep on and sit on. Buy a good book from a charity shop and use that as a substitute for TV until you get one. Other than that you will be amazed at how things build up quickly and you will soon accumilate furniture.

When I moved out from my ex I had nothing and £5 to my name. I slept on the floor on a pile of old blankets for a year and walked on floorboards for a couple of years. It's taken about 5 years to get to where I am now (which is still not that great) but it's all been worth it and very self satisfactory.