What can I claim a Crisis Loan for?

Shawn_Dark

Just seeking some advice on a Crisis Loan:

1) what are examples of things I can claim a Crisis Loan for?

2) what's the difference between option 1 and option 2 when you phone up?

Realistically I just need money to pay the rent. This is mainly due to the fact that we swtiched from one benefit to another. This then caused a payment delay of around six weeks where all we had to get by on was CTC and CB. We managed to scrape by (with help from family and friends) but still owe about £500 in rent. As of the 23rd of this month the total will go to £950.

I called the Crisis Loan number (think I chose option 1: living expenses) but they said I cant claim a loan to pay my rent. Afterwards I realised its not just rent. I need to pay for shopping (minimum £50), fuel for the car, phone bill, etc.

I tried asking what the loan covers but the lady was a bit blunt and unhelpful on the phone (tough times for the government i guess ). Dont know whether she was rushing to get me off the cos she 'couldnt be bothered' or if its just the way they have been instructed to behave?

LL30

Gas, elec and food usually. It's only a nominal amount too - think under £100 rather than £100s.

karenx

You wont get a crisis loan for rent. Thats what benefits are for. You wont get thrown out your house just cos you owe a little in rent as when your housing benfit comes through it will cover it.

YOu also wont get it for petrol for the car as its not an emergency. And plus you will only get a minimal amount from crisis loan
What other income do you have?

Tara100

Hi Abu

From what I can see, you should be entitled to make a claim:

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



Crisis Loan – who can apply


You can apply for a Crisis Loan if you:

• are aged 16 or over
• don't have enough money to meet your (or your family's) immediate short term needs in an emergency or as the result of a disaster
• think there will be serious damage or risk to your (or your family's) health or safety without the loan

A Crisis Loan can help cover the following short term needs:

• meeting daily living expenses
• rent in advance
• board/lodging charges
• residential charges for a hostel
• pre-paid meter fuel debt
• travel expenses if you are stranded away from home

Good luck!

Shawn_Dark

karenx wrote: »

You wont get a crisis loan for rent. Thats what benefits are for. You wont get thrown out your house just cos you owe a little in rent as when your housing benfit comes through it will cover it.

YOu also wont get it for petrol for the car as its not an emergency. And plus you will only get a minimal amount from crisis loan
What other income do you have?

We get:

1) JSA (joint-claim);
2) CTC;
3) CB;
4) Housing Ben.

Shawn_Dark

Is there anything else I could claim?
Its more of a loan I need rather than anything else as hopefully within a month I will get a backdated payment to cover the money owed.

bobajob_1966

karenx is correct, you cannot get a CL for rent payments. Why not focus on finding out what the delay is with your HB claim instead?

Morlock

Abu_Yoosha wrote: »

I need to pay for shopping (minimum £50), fuel for the car, phone bill, etc.

I would suggest that if you have a car and a phone, you are not in need of a crisis loan. Sell the car and disconnect the phone.

JodieMasonMummy

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/budgeting-loans/

A budgeting loan may be that kind of thing your looking for?

Shawn_Dark

Morlock wrote: »

I would suggest that if you have a car and a phone, you are not in need of a crisis loan. Sell the car and disconnect the phone.

1) Car isnt mine so cant sell it (its a fmaily car and I just using it for school runs, shopping, visiting the job centre, etc.). Besides I am likely to start work in a few months (if not less) so I would need it to commute.

2) The phone is part of a 24 month contract that I took out last year (whilst I was working). Still 11 months to go so disconnecting it now would levy a huge charge.

Huge thanks for your suggestions but you dont understand enough about my situation to give that sort of advice to me personally.

Its clear that a Crisis Loan is not an option and there isnt much else I can do. Therefore, thanks to all for your comments but I am pretty much finished with this thread.

JodieMasonMummy

Abu_Yoosha wrote: »

1) Car isnt mine so cant sell it (its a fmaily car and I just using it for school runs, shopping, visiting the job centre, etc.). Besides I am likely to start work in a few months (if not less) so I would need it to commute.

2) The phone is part of a 24 month contract that I took out last year (whilst I was working). Still 11 months to go so disconnecting it now would levy a huge charge.

Huge thanks for your suggestions but you dont understand enough about my situation to give that sort of advice to me personally.

Its clear that a Crisis Loan is not an option and there isnt much else I can do. Therefore, thanks to all for your comments but I am pretty much finished with this thread.

Did you look into the link i posted above?