Letting off steam - didn't know where to put this.

djbum_syd

Just opened my kitchen cupboards and found enough food left to make 2 more meals for me and my daughter.
After that, its gone.
And with no money available to buy more food, I'm screwed.

Rent due in a couple of weeks, and I don't have enough to cover my outstanding share of it (rent is more than HB can pay).

And the nursery fees at my college crèche are running me down.
There is now £0.05 in my bank account.

Arrrrgggghhhh.

Whoever said people living on benefits get the easy life know jack. I hate this miserable existence.
Please, somebody give me a job and I will gladly work it!

Sorry, this is an entirely pointless post, and I know there are people in a worse situation than me. I just really really needed to vent or be in danger of crying.

escortg3

Are you getting all the money you are entitled to. Might be worth a check. My daughter is a single parent on benefits and studying at college and financially she manages ok. She also runs a house, has a 4 year old and pays all her bills. Doesnt have nursery costs as much now but used to.

Perhaps the childs father could chip in.

Amanda65

Hiya

Really sorry to hear about your current situation - it can't be much fun

I work for an occupational benevolent fund and there are lots of us around, linked to all manner of occupations, who can help in the short or long term based on your work history (not much help I know if you haven't worked much). There are also many other charities that can offer help based on your gender, religion, area, etc etc. Go to www.turn2us.org.uk (they are part of Elizabeth Finn Trust) and do a search. Alternatively you can speak to one of their advisors and they will not only check if there is anyone who can help they can also do a quick check on your benefit entitlements.

Also have you been on the Oldstyle boards. There are miracle workers on there who can literally feed the five thousand with just a loaf and five fishes - ok well maybe a slight exaggeration but they do come up with some fab suggestions for eeking out food.

HTH

rozmister

Are you sure you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled too? Maybe you could just double check in case you've missed something that could help ease the financial pressure.

Food wise you could see if there's an organisation (maybe a church or charity) that give food parcels to low income families in need. They do this through my local SureStart and that would help with the immediate food issue!

I hope thigns get better

djbum_syd

Hi, thanks everyone.

I think I'm getting everything I can. I get income support (reduced rate as paying back a benefit loan), child benefit, and child tax credits. Also get HB, which pays for majority of my rent and then I pay the bit left over.
Her dad has recently made himself unemployed after I called CSA.
I've cut down all bills to the bare minimum and have gotten everything as cheap as possible (gas, electric, contents insurance, etc.) and yet I still find myself with no money. It was fine until I had to start paying for crèche fees, that's where all my money seems to go. I get help there, but I'm still left having to pay extra. Makes me regret going back to college to be honest.

Thank you Amanda65 for the link, I will have a look on there when the baby goes to bed.

rozmister, my local Sure Start centre has been closed down. How do I found out about other organisations that could help?

dangalf

This isn't meant to be a snide or funny comment butI was wondering - if you're not working why do you need to put your children in creche? Or have I misunderstood something? If you are working then is there anyway of asking your employer for a small advance on salary owing? Anyway, I know it's no fun being skint and tryig to scrape by on benefits so best of luck to you.

jackieglasgow

She's at college dangalf, and has mentioned it in both posts.

OP have you got anything you could seel or pawn to tide you over for now? x

jackieglasgow

Just had a thought op, have you seen the thing at the side there for milk and more free £10 shop? >>>>>>>

You get £10 off your first order, and it would come off your bank account in a week or two by direct debit, it might be owrth trying to mealplan for as basic and cheap as possible and doing that for food to tide you over. Come over to old style if you need help meal planning.

bella2121

do you not get help with childcare costs whilst at college? My friend goes to college and she deffo gets her childcare paid x

hngrymummy

Does your college have a hardship fund? or can they reduce your childcare costs for you?

djbum_syd

My college pays 85% of the childcare costs, and I pay the remaining 15%
I asked if there is any additional funding and was told that because I don't work as well as attend college then there isn't anything else they can help me with.

I did spot that milk and more offer - am a bit worried about using it though as my house doesn't have a a front garden, it backs straight onto the street, and I'm worried people might steal anything left there. :-/

Currently have a few things on Ebay, but no interest as of yet. Just before Xmas I sold/pawned off a lot of things so I could make sure I had some presents for my daughter and bigger clothes as she went up a size.

Shall be heading over to the old style forum bit now.