First time SOA - Please be gentle. Am so worried.

SimIsOnTheUp

Hi again HappyMJ,

Just looking at their website.

This looks like a Godsend!

Have you applied to them yourself. If not, do you know how people fare, regarding eligibility?

Many Thanks,

Sim.

immoral_angeluk

Your benefits seem lower than I'd expect, what phase of ESA are you in?

Id expect it to be (minimum)...
ESA - £65.45 pw if you're in the intial phase = £261.80 (4 weekly figure as I believe ESA is paid every 2 weeks similar to JSA?
Full Housing Benefit/Council Tax benefit - £353.12
= £614.92

Are you paying back any over payments/arrears, I may have missed that in the post...

Also, how long has you alcoholism etc been ongoing? If it's been longer than 6 months and affects your day to day life then it might be worth discussing with the CAB whether you may be able to claim DLA, especially on the mental health grounds more than anything.

HappyMJ

You have to go through CAB or CCCS to get it. They are low on funds (not surprising) but no harm in trying. They won't help with the unsecured lending but they'll pay the BR fee if you need it. You are eligible so don't worry about that bit.

immoral_angeluk

HappyMJ wrote: »

You have to go through CAB or CCCS to get it. They are low on funds (not suprising) but no harm in trying. They won't help with the unsecured lending but they'll pay the BR fee if you need it. You are eligible so don't worry about that bit.

Don't rely on it though. Through my work we regularly apply to the Severn Trent Trust for various things including BR fees and haven't had one application accepted yet.

HamsterWheel_3

Hiya sweetie

Didn't want to read and run so popped into offer my support

I am on a similar base to you but i live with an alcoholic, well an ex. or someone thats trying to deal with it anyway, we been together 6 months he had a couple of hiccups ended up on antibuse as realised he was losing too much of his life, he then weened himself off it and up until last weekend had done 19 weeks without a drop.,,, this may i add was after being a drinker for 20yrs, Then we had a family bbq and he asked me if he could have a drink. i cant stop him so said yes, he was fine, he enjoyed it, felt like !!!! the next day but wheras before he would reach for drink in the morning, he didnt just suffered and left it there, Before hand it would take him 2/3 days to prepare to stop. He didnt touch a drop all week then last night had a couple of cans and is fine today, maybe he has reached a turning point who knows but i will be there to support him,
He got a lots of support from CADS i dont know if they are in your area and also by talking to his doctor and making sure he got any meds he needed to help him,

Anyway. sorry i went on a bit there.. not like me...;)

Reagrding your incomings outgoings etc... have you thought about selling your iphone, i know you cant cancel your contract as mobile phone companies do hate us mere minions like that BUT you could get around £200 pounds for it which would pay for your contract for a few months and free up some money for other things

And groceries,, just get to the supermarket 20 mins before it closes and stock that freezer up for the month!

will be reading and wishing you well xx

HappyMJ

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Don't rely on it though. Through my work we regularly apply to the Severn Trent Trust for various things including BR fees and haven't had one application accepted yet.

Yep that's right reading the report really it's just water arrears they'll help with. The average grant last year was £196.

immoral_angeluk

HappyMJ wrote: »

Yep that's right reading the report really it's just water arrears they'll help with. The average grant last year was £196.

Rubbish isn't it?

immoral_angeluk

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Rubbish isn't it?

We find the best chance of success is through the Royal British Legion or charities relating to the motor/mechanic trade, oddly.

SimIsOnTheUp

HappyMJ wrote: »

You have to go through CAB or CCCS to get it. They are low on funds (not surprising) but no harm in trying. They won't help with the unsecured lending but they'll pay the BR fee if you need it. You are eligible so don't worry about that bit.

Thanks for the info.

I don't think I'll be going BR. A DRO seems like the best course of action.

I'll make a note of the Severn Trent Trust Fund now, and bring it up at my CAB appointment, in 10 days time

Thanks again :T

immoral_angeluk

SimIsOnTheUp wrote: »

Thanks for the info.

I don't think I'll be going BR. A DRO seems like the best course of action.

I'll make a note of the Severn Trent Trust Fund now, and bring it up at my CAB appointment, in 10 days time

Thanks again :T

All CAB's have a massive book of charitable trusts that you may get grants from for help with such things so there may be some other charity related to your area, personal circumstances or past/present occupations that may be able to help also.