On benefits need loan

randomnut

There's something wrong if you're on benefits and can afford to repay a loan. Not exactly fair getting the tax payer to fund refurbishing your home and buying appliances when many hard working, tax paying families cannot afford this themselves.

I would recommend freecycle to get what you can.

RuthnJasper

AFK_Matrix wrote: »

And if you go on freecycle or what ever it's called now, freegle?, you will get one for free.

Freecycle - it's excellent. My local one has had several washing machines offered on it recently, as well as other appliances and some carpets.

I got my washing machine "freecycled" almost four years ago and it's still going strong (touch wood). Happy days!

Don't go for the loan OP - it's not worth putting yourself through that for the sake of some decorations. Best wishes. xx

CharlieRabbit01

worried48 wrote: »

Decoarating is not a necessity nor anywhere near it. Neither are carpets. We have not decorated since we moved in 11 years ago (and it was very bad then) and we only have carpet at all on the stairs landing and hallway. In fact we haven't had a washing machine for at least four years either, though I do know launderettes are not easy to cope with if you have mobility problems.

Financially your own machine is better value as well.

SnowTiger

The numbers are a bit confusing.

Your income is £7,000 a year and your mortgage alone is £555 a month? That's £6,660 a year. I think even the best money savers here would struggle to live on £340 a year!

Also, you refer to your DLA as "high DLA middle care component" which doesn't make much sense. Do you mean high rate for getting around and middle rate for care? And did you mean ESA rather than ESP? The benefits you receive seem a little on the low side. Are you getting everything your're entitled to?

The details you gave suggest you live with someone else.

Anyway, I don't see a £5,000 loan happening.

The washing machine is your priority. Depending on your disability, there may be some charities that could help you out. A charity bought a friend a new washing machine and television, although that was some time ago.

As for decorating. Just do bits as and when you can afford to.

Also, I think most DLA is given for a set time and people who claim again will have to apply for PIP. Even folk given DLA for life or indefinitely will lose it and have to apply for PIP, although I think that's from the end of 2014 onwards.

I understand PIP is a lot more difficult to get than DLA, and will generally involve a one-to-one with a medical expert. So, if I was a lender I'd be very wary about counting DLA as income.

OneLife_OneShot

Go and request a budgeting loan from the local job center, you could likely get up to about £1000 maybe more and then you can pay it back through your DLA/ESA each week at a lower rate and its interest free. I am sure you could do the work you want for that amount rather than a 5k loan plus interest.

oopsadaisydoddle

I would like 5k to decorate too but unfortunately until my debt is paid (luckily on 0%), it is just not going to happen.

The majority of our debt was incurred through moving costs and replacing an old back boiler when we moved in. We have also done a couple of rooms, just skimming and emulsion really though.

My house looks like it is still in the 1970's (was DH Grandma's before we bought it). I would love everything done now but I know it is not going to happen.

Our plan at the moment is to get the debt reduced and then do it. I aim to sell bits on eBay and anything I make will go towards a DIY fund. Sometimes we get monetry gifts off my in laws (usually a couple of hundred pounds every year); again, if we do (not counting on it though), that will go towards it. I also plan to look on freecycle and gumtree for some cost effective ways of renovating.

You really don't NEED 5k to decorate. Want yes, but not need. I am seeing my lack of funds as a challenge - maybe you could do the same!

[Deleted User]

the benefits dont make sense and the income figure even less sense
me smells troll ...

Heffi1

What happened to the 5K your mum left you, you were talking about this in December worrying about an interview with the benefit people...

My mum died and left me some money for a Rainey day. It could be that. Not much though 5k old they take thi off me

Deep_In_Debt

Brock_and_Roll wrote: »

The only thing you really NEED is the new washing machine - all the other items can wait until you have saved the cash. I recall living quite happily in a house without carpets for over 10 years as a child/teen(albeit I was constantly spiking myself on the gripper rods which had optimistically been put down during more solvent times!)

But is it really a NEED and does it have to be new?

EDIT second hand is fine...mine is 20 years old...although i did buy it new and still going strong...not the prettiest of machines but it works!

Upsidedown_Bear

conisme wrote: »

Go and request a budgeting loan from the local job center, you could likely get up to about £1000 maybe more and then you can pay it back through your DLA/ESA each week at a lower rate and its interest free. I am sure you could do the work you want for that amount rather than a 5k loan plus interest.

Info here about budgeting loans:
https://www.gov.uk/budgeting-loans