My SOA.. In serious need of help :/

RainbowDreamer

I am currently applying for jobs daily in hopes that someone will finally give me at least an interview, in hopes I get a job. But it is proving quite hard as no one seems to be replying to any of my applications. And I am basically applying for EVERYTHING! Qualified or not!

Anyway, I am in a serious financial mess due to change in circumstances and the way the government work. I wondered if anyone can take a look at my SOA and see if you can advise me on anything I can cut back on or anything else I may be entitled to.

And also.. if you were in my position, what would you prioritise first?
As I cannot afford ALL of the things that I NEED to live if that makes sense?

My income:

JSA: £71 a week (paid fortnightly)
HB: £200 a month (though this will not start to be paid for at least 2 weeks as still being assessed)

Outgoings: (monthly)
Rent £500
Gas £40
Electric £40
Water £40
TV License £12
Sky £36 (I have cancelled this so have it for another month, but have cancelled my DD)
Gym £20 (this is a 12 month contract, but I have cancelled my standing order)

I have £500 in my bank account. At the start of the month I paid my landlord £300 towards my rent as I could not afford the full £500.

I now am confused as to what to prioritise. If I pay the landlord the full £500 at the start of next month.. I then only have enough money for food to feed me for 7 days and 2 young children for 3 days a week.

If I cover food, gas and electric I then cannot pay my rent.

What should I do? I am cutting down food budget to the bare minimum. Am buying meat and veg in bulk, cooking large meals and then freezing them. The kids are being fed healthy, but I am living off baked beans on toast, cheese and toast, rice and cheese and so on to cut down costs.

Mikazaru

How long have you been on JSA/HB for? If it's recent and you have been able to pay for your rent for the last 12 months yourself then you may be eligible for a DHP for 13 weeks which would cover your full rent which would give you a bit of breathing space.

Your water seems high if there is just one of you for most of the time?

Treacle1983

Doesn't housing benefit get back paid to the date you claimed?
I'm sure someone will pop by and comment to let you know.

If it does then simply let the landlord know and pay him nothing at the moment as he'll get backpaid for it.

Have you looked at things like local food banks? Do you have space to grow a bit of veg?

Freecycle for instance always has loads of spare seeds and veg plants that just need collecting.

Water can always be one of those things you can put to the back and catch up on when you are able - they can't can't cut you off - so have a chat with them and explain and see what they say.

Do you have anything you could think of ebaying or car booting to bring in a little extra cash?

RainbowDreamer

My landlord has said I need to pay at least half of my rent even if I have no income to prevent eviction proceedings.
I claimed for JSA on the 15th of last month.
HB paid me what I used to get which is why I have £500 in the bank, as TC only stopped last week.
I have filled in the discretionary payment form thingy, but they have told me they will not have a decision on that for at least a couple of weeks.

I have nothing in the house that I can sell other than my DSi which I think I will get about £50 for.

RainbowDreamer

Forgot to add water is so high because I am in arrears of 2 months. They wanted me to pay £50 but I managed to get them to reduce it to £40.. but right now they are getting nothing because I feel that rent, food, gas and electric is priority.

McKneff

You should be getting child benefit, what about income support.

You should be on a lot more benefit than you are with 2 young children.

RainbowDreamer

I was on income support, with child benefit and tax credits. But due to circumstances my childrens father has been granted temp residency and has the children 4 days a week, I have them for 3.

The cb and tc has been transfered over to him as he refused to claim for one child each.
Therefor even though I have the children 3 days and nights a week and need to feed them, clothe them etc.. I am only entitled to any help as if I were a single person with no children. So HB will only pay me the rate for a bedsit due to my age. And I am on JSA because they see me as having "no children" and therefore I must look for work, which I am doing daily.

The problem I have is I have a contact order that much be followed. So I cannot accept a job on the days I have the children, as I will get no childcare help and therefore even with a 40hr a week job it still will not be enough to pay all the bills along with childcare for the children 3 days a week.

I am stuck in an awkward position, and have no idea what to do for the best.

This is hopefully a temporary situation until the next court hearing, but in the meantime I want to do everything I can to not lose the house, to ensure the children are provided for etc.

Treacle1983

If you have spare time - it might be worthwhile asking to see if people at the local allotments are willing to give some of their veg in return for help.

Maybe as a short term thing try asking around for odd jobs in your area: car to be cleaned, windows, dog walking, baby sitting, ironing etc..

If you have access to a printer there are a lot of coupons and freebies and things available on forums on this site.

Jobcentre used to have an emergency grant available for things like this - have you asked them?
I had one before when I was on JSA and couldn't afford food for a couple weeks.

Mikazaru

RainbowDreamer wrote: »

HB paid me what I used to get which is why I have £500 in the bank, as TC only stopped last week.
I have filled in the discretionary payment form thingy, but they have told me they will not have a decision on that for at least a couple of weeks.

So are you getting £200 a month or £500 a month?
If the latter than your JSA will cover elec, gas, water and food.

RainbowDreamer

It will be just over £200 a month I have been told. I used to get £420 which I have been paid a few weeks ago, as they suspended my claim due to change in circumstances, but the payment was already in the system and they couldnt cancel it. So basically I owe them £420 until they recalculate.
With the £71 a week.. if I buy smart price food and batch cook.. then I am sure I can manage on the change for gas and electric.

It is the rent that I def cannot afford at the moment, which is causing alot of stress.