Commuinty Grant/Budgeting Loan

Indie_Kid

debtmess wrote: »

sorry to jump in. i keep seeing the family fund mentioned but no idea how it works (if that makes sense) ds3 is 4 and has a higher care component of dla (he is autistic, with a sen statement)

op do you get carers allowance ? and there is a extra amount paid on ctc for middle and higher rate dla

The CTC premium gets paid on any DLA rate.

Kimitatsu

Have you looked to see if there is a furniture recycling project near to you? They will often let you have items if you are on benefits for a nominal value and all of their electrical items are pat tested so you know they are safe.

I dont know where you are in the country but you can ask the local council or CAB and they will give you details, all of their furniture is thoroughly cleaned before released so even if it is second hand you know it is clean - and some of them are barely used as dmg24 has said.

What is your housing status? If you are renting from the local council or a housing association they have a discretionary fund which can be used for cases such as these who are facing hardship.

outofmoney

Kimitatsu wrote: »

Have you looked to see if there is a furniture recycling project near to you? They will often let you have items if you are on benefits for a nominal value and all of their electrical items are pat tested so you know they are safe.

I dont know where you are in the country but you can ask the local council or CAB and they will give you details, all of their furniture is thoroughly cleaned before released so even if it is second hand you know it is clean - and some of them are barely used as dmg24 has said.

What is your housing status? If you are renting from the local council or a housing association they have a discretionary fund which can be used for cases such as these who are facing hardship.

Will investigate as not heard of that before.

We are currently private renting. Have been on the list for council for ten years but unfortunately nothing has come our way yet due to people holding on to or buying their homes from the council.

As for child tax credits, we don't get them. No idea why as when we phoned to find out we got such a garbled response we don't know what they were on about.

Jowo_2

Furniture recycling charities could include not just local independent ones set in specific areas but places like the British Heart Foundation and Emmaus. Your local citizens advice bureau may know the details of the ones in your area if you can't unearth them via google or yell.

As well as Freecycle, there are the breakaway sites of Freegle, plus Gumtree freebies.

pmlindyloo

outofmoney wrote: »

As for child tax credits, we don't get them. No idea why as when we phoned to find out we got such a garbled response we don't know what they were on about.

Why don't you put all your details into www.entitledto.com calculator. You will then have a guide as to what you may be entitled to.

Oldernotwiser

outofmoney wrote: »

As for child tax credits, we don't get them. No idea why as when we phoned to find out we got such a garbled response we don't know what they were on about.

Could you not phone again or ask for the person on the other end to speak more slowly?

outofmoney

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Why don't you put all your details into www.entitledto.com calculator. You will then have a guide as to what you may be entitled to.

Tried it twice but it always comes up with a figure for tax credits and cannot handle it when I change it to zero.

OlderNotWiser: We did phone again, hoping to get someone a little clearer and they said they would call back. That was months ago.

pmlindyloo

If you feel you are not getting all the benefits you are entitled to and the web link isn't working for you, then you could go to CAB and ask them to do a Quick Benefit check for you.

I don't know if this is feasible for you not knowing the ages of your children. If you can go, make sure you take with you proof of what you are currently receiving as they will not be able to do a QBC if you haven't got that information.

If you can't make it to CAB telephone them and ask if they have an outreach service or know of such a service locally.

Oldernotwiser

outofmoney wrote: »

OlderNotWiser: We did phone again, hoping to get someone a little clearer and they said they would call back. That was months ago.

Then why haven't you phoned them back? If things are as tight as you say, I can't understand why you're not following up what could be a very helpful source of extra income!

outofmoney

pmlindyloo wrote: »

If you feel you are not getting all the benefits you are entitled to and the web link isn't working for you, then you could go to CAB and ask them to do a Quick Benefit check for you.

I don't know if this is feasible for you not knowing the ages of your children. If you can go, make sure you take with you proof of what you are currently receiving as they will not be able to do a QBC if you haven't got that information.

If you can't make it to CAB telephone them and ask if they have an outreach service or know of such a service locally.

We have been planning to go. But in this area they only do 9.30 till 11am one day a week so not been able to make it yet.

OlderNotWiser: I have mentioned to hubby loads of times about phoning back but as yet he hasn't. I know I could do it but firstly he has all the figures and secondly I'm an old fashioned girl who thinks that money matters belongs to the man of the house.