please can someone give me some positive advice.

BAILEYS6904

Right ok,

Crisis loan- ring them, you can pretty much get the money that day or the day after, if you nag the enough. Its not just a one off thing, you have to work out what you need, how much it will cost etc. So if you're not due benefits for 2 weeks, make sure you put everything in there that you need for the 2 weeks. There will be some info on the net of what you can claim, and what you cant so have a look. You WILL need to nag them lol, for some reason, they treat it like its their own personal money, but its money thats there for situations like this. Also, if you have another crisis further down the line, its fine, you can apply again, I think theres a maximum limit (3 grand comes to mind but no 100% sure on that), so dont worry about using the 'lifeline'

Secondly, have you spoken to tax credits re the change of circumstances? Change your payments to weekly (which you can do when unemployed). They can make a payment within a few days.

Are you a lone parent? If so, with a 6 year old, you should be able to go on income support automatically without the need to sign on every 2 weeks. You have to do one 'interview' and then a visit every 6 months i think. You also get access to a lone parent adviser who can help with tax credits, looking for work etc.

Take a deep breath sweetie, it'll be ok xx

podperson

I would suggest getting a crisis loan, if you ring up the helpline they will ask about your circumstances, what you need the money for etc (worth checking the guidelines first as you can only get it for certain things - I had to get one last year and I was allowed money for food and electric meter but not for rent) If you explain that you need the money urgently they are very quick and I got mine the same day - you have to go to a pick up point and collect a cheque which you can cash straight away at a post office. When you get your benefits through they take off a few pounds a week until it is paid back.
Otherwise as mentioned look at any charities in your local area that might be able to offer help.

pmlindyloo

If you feel nervous about applying for a crisis loan go into your nearest CAB and they should be able to apply for it on your behalf. Just explain that you get tongue tied/nervous and they should help. Where I am crisis loans are given the same day and collected from the Job Centre.

They should also know of any other charities etc that can help.

tomitma

gerryscot wrote: »

No wonder your at your wits ends, you've dealing with a nightmare situation. Have you asked DWP if you would be eligible for a crisis loan? You could also apply for a budgetting loan from the social fund, a friend of mine recently applied and was given £350.00.It takes a few weeks to process the application though. I think the repayments are £5 or £6 a week and they are deducted directly from her benefits.

Hi Gerry, for these loans you have to be on whatever benefits for 12 weeks, before you can apply, the OP obviously has not been on benefits that long.

the_cat

trinibini wrote: »

Im worries though if your only allowed it once, what happens if i come into even harder times down the road, i mean literally no roof over our head . would it be best to save it till then?

This must seem like it would be a bigger problem than the one you already have, but in reality as you have a child, the council would HAVE to help you into some from of housing immediately if you did become homeless. It may not be in a place of your choosing, but you will never be without a roof over your head.

You are facing the biggest problem right now... to feed yourselves until the benefits turn up. That is exactly the situation in which you NEED a crisis loan, so don't be detered or fobbed off. Claim it today!

Good luck

Just_Plain_Jane

tomitma wrote: »

Hi Gerry, for these loans you have to be on whatever benefits for 12 weeks, before you can apply, the OP obviously has not been on benefits that long.

Not for a crisis loan. Social fund loan maybe, there is a difference.

See here:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/On_a_low_income/DG_10018856

gerryscot

tomitma wrote: »

Hi Gerry, for these loans you have to be on whatever benefits for 12 weeks, before you can apply, the OP obviously has not been on benefits that long.

Sorry Tomitma i didn't know about the 12 wks, I feel bad for suggestion it now and she cant apply for it. That'll teach me not to put my Tuppence-worth in about things that i know nothing about. :eek: :eek:

gerryscot

Hi trinibini

I’ve just spoke to a friend who works at the money advice centre, he said that if you go to DWP office and explains your situation they’ll issue a crisis loan Giro today you'll probably need to wait at DWP for a couple of hours though. He doesn’t know how much they’ll issue it might only be £40.00 or £50.00. He said you need to stand your ground with them and let them know that you have no money for food to feed your children.

Good luck. x

RAS

Hi love

Before you start even thinking about escorts, please think about freeigans, dumpster diving.

Can you tell us where you are as there is often specific help in certain areas.

trinibini

Thank you everyone, you have all been so helpul. the form for the free school meals, has to be signed by my local contact point i keep getting told.. I have been there and they keep telling me i have to be in reciept, even though im being processed and the school wont take anything less than the official documentation. The school is very strict and threatened to stop supplying my son with meals for the rest of the school year because i owed them 9 pounds despite my situation. I really think they won budge , i could show them my bank statement maybe, but i feel it would be falling on death ears. I will ask for the emergency fund today and explain how much i need it for food and shoes hopefully they will see to me quickly, even if they dont i would like to thank you all for your help. My friend who advised me on the escorting, could see my desperation i dont think she meant any harm , and im really not to sure about dumpster diving, i dont want to make my son ill. To be honest id rather he ate and i didnt but thank you for your suggestions all the same. you are all very lovely people. wish me luck