A new 'tougher' thread... and so it continues

smileyt_2

Just a thought, and I don't mean to cause any offence, but there are so many toughies on here with poorly children, I wondered if any of you had considered asking for your child/ren to become postpals?

https://www.postpals.co.uk

Children with serious disabilities or terminal illnesses are listed on there, and people can write to them to cheer them up. It all seems to be very above board and letters go first to another address - the child's address and last name is not given out for safety reasons.

natty85_2

that bbc article is shocking. it really is. its puts all of use struggling to get by in a really bad light. boo bbc :mad:

hey im natalie btw nice to meet you.

we have recently found ourselves in a very difficult position due to cuts in the local councils housing benefit (LHA) meaning even though we are both students on student loan income only, we have three children and no other income, they are only paying 40% of my rent. adding to that the only school they have places in is 6 miles away costing us around £50 a week in petrol.

Mrs_Chip

I could just about accept the booze and fags (but 24 cans between 2 adults a week?), but so much on moblie phones and Sky just seems mad - and then to say Sky Movies is needed because they are home all day??? And that the cuts will force them to choose between eating or heating??? Honestly, he has not done anyone any favours, and I can understand why people who work get aggrieved by examples like this. There is a world of difference between this family and those who have to feed their family on less than the £32 being spent on mobile phones (which is only £6 a week less than their heating bill).

ETA Hi Natalie - welcome to the gang!

smileyt_2

Hi Natty85. I'm no expert but I think there might be some kind of discretionary fund for HB, not sure if extends to LHA too. Might be worth checking with your local CAB? Also ask about buspasses as you live more than 3 miles away from school.

Your Uni probably has some kind of access fund so that would be worth enquiring about too.

But definitely either see your local CAB or your student welfare adviser asap.

Mrs_Chip

Meant to ask, Kate - do Bookers put all their whoopsies in one place in the store, or do you have to hunt for them?

Smiley - sorry about the vac, I'm sure you will love the Vax! Perhaps you could call it Vinny?

smileyt_2

Mrs_Chip wrote: »

I could just about accept the booze and fags (but 24 cans between 2 adults a week?), but so much on moblie phones and Sky just seems mad - and then to say Sky Movies is needed because they are home all day??? And that the cuts will force them to choose between eating or heating??? Honestly, he has not done anyone any favours, and I can understand why people who work get aggrieved by examples like this. There is a world of difference between this family and those who have to feed their family on less than the £32 being spent on mobile phones (which is only £6 a week less than their heating bill).

ETA Hi Natalie - welcome to the gang!

Mrs Chip you are so right - look at our own Gailey, for instance, who feels guilty about a cup of coffee and two slices of toast as a one-off at a supermarket cafe! If she had nearly £600/week she could probably house and feed a family of twenty!! (Bows down in respect before Gailey's MSE OS skills ...)

ETA Byatt you will look like a bread pudding at this rate LOL! xx

jfdi

De-lurking for my once a month Post!

Just cried at this - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNr4tgTEOMs&sns=fb

Certainly puts our woes into perspective.

Mrs_Chip

Yes there are a fair few here who could make that amount of money go a very long way, and I'm sure an awful lot who do not have anything like that amount to live on. Where is Gailey today I wonder (or did I miss her?)

Byatt - step away from the bread pudding!

Byatt

natty85 wrote: »

that bbc article is shocking. it really is. its puts all of use struggling to get by in a really bad light. boo bbc :mad:

hey im natalie btw nice to meet you.

we have recently found ourselves in a very difficult position due to cuts in the local councils housing benefit (LHA) meaning even though we are both students on student loan income only, we have three children and no other income, they are only paying 40% of my rent. adding to that the only school they have places in is 6 miles away costing us around £50 a week in petrol.

I reiterate what smiley says about the discretionary fund. Have a look on your council's web site, they may have a form to download. Someone on MSE kindly told me about it and I get extra help, because I pay 2/3 of my rent. PM me if you need help as I might be able to advise what my council wanted to know about outgoings.

Smiley, I already look like a bread pudding. :rotfl:

scrabbles_2

smileyt wrote: »

Mrs Chip you are so right - look at our own Gailey, for instance, who feels guilty about a cup of coffee and two slices of toast as a one-off at a supermarket cafe! If she had nearly £600/week she could probably house and feed a family of twenty!! (Bows down in respect before Gailey's MSE OS skills ...)

LOL I thought the same thing when I first read that article

But of course there is a concerted effort to focus on the 'undeserving poor'. Because while you're blaming the people on benefits you're not blaming the old boys' network at the top of the pile who actually caused this mess. That's not to say that there aren't any '!!!!less poor' about, because there are.

Edited to say: Oh for the love of cheesecake. That should read f e c k less. Ironically the censor manages to make it look like I'm saying something far nastier!