Cant afford to live!

queenlizard45uk

I have tried the job centre about getting benifits, but as my boyfriend had £2,000 in savings - I wasnt allowed a penny. Those savings have obviously all been used now for us both to live off over the last year. I was abit disgusted with the job centre, as they wanted me to sign on every week but NOT recieve a penny. I told them I had better things to do!

Also, his mother is a teacher and we both thought he would get paid end of this month, but apperently it will be end of october as he has to work a month in hand.

queenlizard45uk

CazGreg wrote: »

Don't use a credit card for food. Go to your local food bank. You can find the details via Google. There is no shame in using one in today's economic climate.

Thanks. Will look into the food bank now. Are we actually able to use this facility? seems like it should be for people with massive families?

queenlizard45uk

Cant use the foodbank unfortunately. Process takes 6-12 months, by then we should be able to actually eat then!
Thank you for the suggestion anyway x

McKneff

But have you checked about the salary date. No one works a month in hand, a month in arrears, yes, but this means you get paid at the end of the month that you have worked (in arrears)
You are making a big mistake not signing on. Even if you cant get any cash. It is important for you to sign on and get your NI credit for any future benefits, ie if you want SSP or JSA in two years time you will be refused because you wont have enough 'stamps' it also counts towards your state pension.

GavB79

Is he a supply teacher or on contract?

If he's supply it's standard to work in arrears, e.g. he works September, it's processed in time for October pay. Because you don't know what you've worked until the end of the month, and the school can't process it til the following month.

If he's on contract, he should get paid the end of this month. Even if for some reason they haven't set his paperwork up, they should be able to raise him a cheque.

If he's agency supply... well I don't know about that...

PazDeLaHuertaFan

If you don't mind me asking, why don't you look for a job with more hours?

I know it's not an immediate solution but more hours always helps in the long run. Ask around local pubs, takeaways, small shops. They don't always openly advertise and you might find enough hours to supplement your current income.

Also look around the board, there are lots of ideas on how to keep costs down, especially with food.

Good luck!

jackieb

Have you any old, decent clothes you could sell to a place like cash for clothes? I think they pay 50p a kilo. Maybe ask your family if they're having a clearout and have any they don't want.

shmeeko69

You don't seem to be getting much luck of late and hopefully things will turn your way very soon. Car boots sales are still a popular route, but you have to sell unusual items at the right prices and especially in the current economic climate.

If you're still saving for a car and have the £450 (ref. your signature) then, you could use that until your boyfriend gets paid?

Mark

Avon2001

You obviously need cash and quickly to tide you over until things get better (at least you have a plan to make life better). Do you have any decent jewellery you could pawn and get back later? Have you looked around/advertised for cash in hand jobs such as babysitting (your tax bill will be next year by which point you should have some cash)?

podperson

If you can't afford to eat you could try applying for a crisis loan - you don't need to be on benefits to get one. You then pay back at a couple of pounds a week either from your wages or benefits.
Have you looked into whether you can get housing benefit? Again you can apply on the basis of a low income - though if you had taken the jobseekers it would have made it easier. When I lost my job I only received about £5 a week from jsa as they took into account my partner's student loan - it didn't really seem worth it on that basis but because I was on it then it was easier to get housing/council tax benefit, reductions on prescriptions etc.