Scared

Cerisa

I am really scared at the moment. My partner was made redundant and I earn £14,000 a year. His benefits haven't come through yet. I paid our rent (£500), council tax, bills this month. And now I have £30 of my overdraft left to last the rest of the month.

He has no money or credit whatsoever.

I really don't know what to do.

GeorgieFTB

OK deep breath, it will be alright!

All your priorities have been paid, so you are fine for the moment... I'm sure you will end up eating some very interesting meals but you will cope.

How much did your partner get from his employer? If he wasn't there long it will only be his notice and any holiday not taken... but every little will help while you are waiting for the job centre to pull its finger out...

Normal advice for this sort of, hopefully, temporary situation would be ebay anything you can, help from family and friends (not nessesarily money, maybe just a meal)

Good luck
Gx

edinburgher

As the poster above says, get ready to eat a lot of noodles and beans!

Seriously though, he provided some great tips on approaching family and friends for a little assistance.

Also - have you spoken to the Job Centre about the possibility of access to hardship/crisis loans/payments? Not sure if these are still around, but it can't hurt to ask.

Once you get through the next couple of weeks, it's also going to prove important to you to draw up a detailed budget/statement of affairs so that you know what money is coming in and going out and that you can meet your obligations.

bunny999

If he has paid NI conts on the last two tax years he should be entitled to JSA. If not and you are over 25 you should claim working tax credits.

atush

Yes, I would get down to the DHS and apply for any new benefits you werne't entitled to before but will be now due to his redendancy and your lower income. you might get help with the council tax?

Cerisa

He got a good severance package as he'd been there for 5 years, but he wasn't allowed to put a benefits claim in until that money had stopped being paid. I'll go to see the Jobcentre people - I think i'm entitled to working tax credits and possibly some council tax benefits.

He's applied for JSA and housing benefit but we're still waiting to hear about when.

Cerisa

Oh - and thank you guys so much. You helped me stop freaking out.

RAS

Hi

head over to the money saving old style forum and list everything in the cupbaords and freezer and they can help you put together a menu plan so you need the absolute minimum of spends.

GeorgieFTB

Cerisa wrote: »

Oh - and thank you guys so much. You helped me stop freaking out.

Freaking out is perfectly acceptable... glad you have calmed down now...

Figure out how much you need to get by in a month then figure out how many months you can live on what you have coming in, then that lets your OH know when he needs to panic!

Gx