Advise needed urgently before i go totally insane

18sjd

Hi, I walked out of my job in Feb this year due to my boss not paying bills and me being the dogs body left to deal with many angry suppliers and customers, I then had an accident at work and whilst sat in A and E my boss called me shouting and swearing as to why I was so so stupid to have an accident on his time. I worked 40 plus hours aweek 70 hours was not unusual but only ever paid 40 and this was the final straw I couldnt take it anymore mentally so I walked.
This was a big mistake, I spent 4 weeks searching daily for a new job but to no avail so I contacted the benefits agency (I am very proud and have worked full time since 14 years old I am now 36 and have always provided for myself and my 2 children)
Firstly at my first appointment at the local job centre I was told I may be suspended from any help as I left my job and secondly I was heavily questioned as to why I left it 4 weeks before 'signing on'. Answer simple ive always supported myself and have those ethics my parents taught me.
However 3 payments where made but oh no not to me but into someone elses bank account, I filled in forms and did everything I was told to get this money back but to be told and yes these are the words of a job centre employee 'you may as well kiss the money good bye' wow thats really given me faith in the system to start with.
Well now ive been suspsended and was told to apply for hardship fund and a special payment, I did this and was told someone will call me within 3 hours, this didnt happen so I rang again to be told that the hardship fund had been authorised along with a special payment and to call another number, I did this to be told that I could not have the money as my claim had been stopped ??????????????????
So I then went to the job centre to be told eventually my claim was stoped in error and I would need to do a rapid reclaim BUT they couldnt see me for another 3 days, at this point I have no gas no electric and my children are luckily eating at friends, I feel like a suffroget im now on day 6 of no food.
So I go to the rapid reclaim appointment and Im told to go to the other job centre where they will now realease the hardship and special payment, so off I go thinking yes finally Im getting some help.
Big mistake in my thinking, I see another advisor who says because the rapid reclaim has only just been done someone will call me within 3 hours to let me know a payment has been authorised, I go home do get a call but to tell me because my claim was stopped I now have to re apply for the hardship and the special payment.
I am now at my wits end, I have to see a counsellor weekly for depression, I have sold everything in my home of mine and my children of any value and between March 27th and today I have received £130 to live off of and been given endless promises by the job centre and the benefits agencies.
As I say I have always paid my way and now I am 5 months in arrears on my home which I am now about to lose, I have a house phone bill of £175 from callls to the benefits agency which has now been discinnected.
The last thing I own of value is my 14 year old peugot that ive defaulted on the insurance and tax expires on Friday.
So up the creek without a paddle doesnt even come close.
I have just writeen a letter outlining this which I am sending to all 3 job centres involved, along with copies to my local MP, Lord Mayor and one to Mr Cameron himself but if anyone can give me any advise at all It will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance Sarah.

Oldernotwiser

Aren't you receiving Child Benefit and Child tax Credits?

Nyfle

That stinks... I can't imagine how tough that must be. My advice may not be the best, but I didn't want to do a 'hit and run' after reading it, so here's what I'd do if I were in your situation.

First, I'd either make a call to your local MP's constituency office or visit there in person, telling them that this is an emergency, that you are in financial hardship and that you really need their assistance in this matter. Their involvement carries a lot more weight where the DWP is involved.

Second, have a look at <www . saynoto0870 . com> (can't link directly, sorry!). There you should be able to find geographical numbers for any DWP, JobCentre Plus or Benefit Delivery Centre (BDC) that you need to get in touch with. And you likely will have to continue chasing them up, stressing that you are in dire straights and unable to put food on the table. In my (albeit little) experience with contact centres / BDCs, those call-backs seldom happen. Persistence is key, alas.

I'm sure someone else will be along to offer (much!) better advice. I just wanted to mention the saynoto0870 website as an alternative to the bloody expensive 0845 racket, and to wish you luck!

18sjd

Yes just child benefit.
Ive been told Im not entitled to anything becuse of my NI contributions which I have also questioned as I have worked for 22 years and always paid this.

happy_but_skint

18sjd wrote: »

Yes just child benefit.
Ive been told Im not entitled to anything becuse of my NI contributions which I have also questioned as I have worked for 22 years and always paid this.

You said your boss didnt pay his bills check with the tax office that he did pay your tax an NI contributions. Good luck x

bunny999

You need to put a claim for child tax credits and council tax benefits. Was the £130 JSA ?

18sjd

Thanks for the sayno details I have found one number on that so many thanks.

Yes Im waiting to hear back with regards to the Tax office.

And again yes the £130 was JSA. I have applied for Council tax and housing benefit but all this has been frozen whilst I have the sanction. I have appealed against this too.
I was told I could get a crisis loan but that again was untrue as they said because I have a sanction I cannot claim.
What bewilders me is how am I and my children expected to survive?
I cant say things were easy when I was working but we managed to plod along the 3 of us but now I have gone from a very strong and independant woman to a blubbering wreck and fear my mental health is now getting worse, this is the reason I left my job and thought I was doing the best for us but how wrong I have been. I was not stupid when I decided to walk out I did have a small pot of savings but did not anticipate finding a new job to be so difficult.
Maybe I am nieve in thinking you put into the system for so many years that the help would be available if such a time comes you need it.
And I have also found that not one person is willing to give you advise but overhearing a gentleman applying for a loan to buy a car because he felt threatened on public transport which he was then awarded £3000 is very wrong in my eyes. Especially as that man had been suspended as he didnt meet the criteria with regards to him being an immigrant to the UK. But I a single parent cannot get any help at all???????????
I feel very let down by the system and really feel something needs to be done about this entire system and the way people are treated.
It is very sad in this country unless your a person of wealth!!

bunny999

Have you contacted the CSA ?

18sjd

No I dont see how they would help, this is for chasing a parent who doesnt pay towards children isnt it?

skintandscared_2

18sjd wrote: »

No I dont see how they would help, this is for chasing a parent who doesnt pay towards children isnt it?

Do you receive any money from the father of your children? (sorry if this is an inappropriate question - you don't mention it above - just thinking of what other forms of income you should be getting)

18sjd

No the questions fine.

No I dont and havent received any money from there Dad.

I did go down the CSA route many years ago but to be honest found it more of a hassle so just got on with bringing them up the best I could have.