help! slipping into depression

lilliesmum

I am a 23 year old mum of 1 with a fiance who has been out of work for 2 years due to a knee injury. My benefits have been sanctioned as i left employment as my 18 month old was having to sleep on the sofa until i returned from work at 10pm as my OH couldnt carry her upstairs. we now have about £9500 of debt between us, a house to pay rent on and get about £427 a month... every job i apply for seem to dismiss my application and my partners employer sent his p45 and a letter saying they no longer needed him (he was on sick leave). Im getting really depressed and feel like im in a downward spiral. theres honest people wanting to provide for their families and then theres benefit cheats that are having holidays twice a year, COULD SOMEONE SHED SOME LIGHT PLEASE ON WHAT HELP I CAN GET? As im loosing the will to live...
thanks

whitewing

Is there any possibility

whitewing

sorry... that your old company will give you your job back?

lilliesmum

I have already been down that route and they are not able to do so, i dont want to sell avon or anything like that to earn a 'bit' of money so im stuck doing my fortnightly trips to the good old jobcentre, in which very little assistance is given.

pmlindyloo

Can you tell us exactly what income is coming into the house?

If your OH is too sick to work then he can apply for ESA. This should give you entitlement to HB and CTB.

You should also apply for Child tax credits.

It would be a good idea to go to CAB for a review of your benefits and also some help with your debts.

If you have very little income then they will help you arrange to pay a minimum amount to your creditors.

There is always an answer to debt problems- you just need to find the right one so stop despairing there is light at the end of the tunnel.

whitewing

Do also read the mental health and debt guide on the main site, and also I think there is a 'dealing with your debts' guide on the main site too.

lilliesmum

we recieve cb,ctc, ctb and lha but at the minute we dont see any disposable income for little things like a new kettle if that breaks and cannot afford to do a weekly shop without it being bare minimums, i dont want to be crying the poor man as im too proud but its getting to the point where i can see a family breakdown. my partner is going through an employment tribunal for unfair dismissal as he can return to work as of next week and now has to re-apply for his job.

colleensims

lilliesmum wrote: »

I have already been down that route and they are not able to do so, i dont want to sell avon or anything like that to earn a 'bit' of money so im stuck doing my fortnightly trips to the good old jobcentre, in which very little assistance is given.

You can not be that desperate if you are turning your nose up at things like Avon etc.

Why not try it for the time being until you can sort something more permanent out. A 'bit' is better than nothing

lilliesmum

avon states you can achieve minimum wage but i have found people have been very out of pocket by working for them, i am desperate and will do anything but i do not want to increase my debts i want to decrease them

Blackpool_Saver

no, you need a stable regular income, and nowadays you can't just sell Avon to get a bit extra. You have to register as self employed and all that carry on...

orwell22

As said above go to CAB for a full benefit check. Also for things like kettles etc there are community care grants or there use to be, not sure if this government has now got rid of them or is just planning to. Ask jobcentre for one of the forms for a community care grant and take it to CAB who will fill it in with you. They know how to word things best to get the best chances of getting something as its not guranteed.