Help please

carkeyz

Hi all
Just looking for advice as I have never claimed out of work benefits before.
3 weeks ago I applied for IS and had my interview and was told I would receieve something within a week and a half. I have yet to recieved anything. I have tried calling but the women on the phone was rude and told me to wait and basically cut me off.
I cant get a penny out of my now ex and tax credits have stopped our joint claim and started a new one so stopped payments.
I have £4.15 and need food, gas and electric. I have horrific rent arrears and havent eaten in two days.
I really dont know what to do next.
Any advice would be appriciated.

DX2

Crisis loan from the DWP.

Supernatural

Contact the CSA and get them onto your ex, I really dislike fathers who won't care for their children, it's a disgrace!

As DX2 said, crisis loan is your first stop, I hope things improve for you.

Jowo_2

Google to see if there are any food banks in your area

http://www.mkfoodbank.org.uk/

http://www.buckinghamshireexaminer.co.uk/south-bucks-news/local-buckinghamshire-examiner-news/2010/11/16/church-job-seekers-group-celebrates-first-birthday-114018-27664779/

http://www.trusselltrust.org/content/foodbankfranchise/ukfoodbanks.htm

paddedjohn

Supernatural wrote: »

Contact the CSA and get them onto your ex, I really dislike fathers who won't care for their children, it's a disgrace!

As DX2 said, crisis loan is your first stop, I hope things improve for you.

im sorry if ive missed something but where does the op say that kids are involved?

DX2

paddedjohn wrote: »

im sorry if ive missed something but where does the op say that kids are involved?

The part where the OP says she has applied for Income support and tax credits going from a joint claim to a single claim. Generally IS is paid to single parents.
And in her sig it states "mum to Millie"

carkeyz

Hi all
Thanks for your advice. There is a 19 month old involved. I have been trying to contact crisis loans all morning but their computer systems are down
Going to look into food banks.
This is possibly the most depressing moment of my life right now.

clairec79

This was a few years back but when they did something similar to my tax credit claim they were able to issue an interim payment as there was no other money coming in and children under 5

sammyjammy

carkeyz wrote: »

Hi all
Thanks for your advice. There is a 19 month old involved. I have been trying to contact crisis loans all morning but their computer systems are down
Going to look into food banks.
This is possibly the most depressing moment of my life right now.

The whole point of crisis loans is that people are desperate (well in genuine cases like yours ), ring them again, if their computers are down for that length of time they need to implement clerical measures, be firm, ask to speak to a supervisor - cry if you have to! Failing that try socail services for emergency help. have you called tax credits to chase them up as well? When is your child benefit due or is it paid monthly?

carkeyz

They have been asking me to phone back in an hour since 9 am this morning. I feel like complete scum Im going to try tax credits see if they can do an interium payment. My child benefit is paid monthly

Dilligaf2010

I went from earning £35000 a year to requiring Incapacity Benefit nearly 6 years ago, I had nothing, was living in a hostel and it still took me 14 weeks to eventually get any money, I had to rely on Crisis Loans, which eventually totaled about £550, just what you need when suffering from clinical depression and being on suicide watch.
I eventually got hold of one of the Managers at the complaints dept. in Reading, which I think helped, I'll have a rummage to see if I can find the details, although I can't guarantee they're still the same.
Find the details of your local M.P. and e-mail his office immediately, he may be able to pull some strings, possibly even call in the Air Force Plc. to bomb your local DWP office .
Best of luck.