No benefit payment & 1st April changes.

SandraScarlett

OP, nobody is expecting you to give your address, but if you just start with the County, (I'm in Essex), that will be a start. Then anybody who is in the same County, and wants to help, could PM you, and give their town, and ask if it's near you.

xx

SandA

This is so awful they are doing this to you

Hope your okay OP. Needless to say but if you are near me I will happily give you some food.

All the best

alexandrajj

Ok. Basically I turned up at Social Services department with kids & rucksack each. Try to fob me off like it was some stunt, went on about me abandoning my kids, police, I'd been in trouble if I left them there etc etc. I'm a bit ashamed to say but I kicked off a bit with this thick cow who seemed completely unable to comprehend what I was saying. Anyway someone else came in, kicked off a bit more, actually gave us a drink & snack (to calm us/me down as kids were upset) and then basically took us seriously. They sorted it with DWP and assured them it'd be there soon. Spoke to me some more and then confirmed money had been sent. (I think it was the 1 hour payment that someone mentioned earlier). Had to answer far too many questions to the SS. Got money from bank and got to Aldi. Got home and had tea. I'm absolutely emotionally drained.

alexandrajj

Sorry, i'm all over the place & forgetting my manners. Thank you to everyone who offered to help with food and with advice. It was appreciated.

Made me realise I'm only one payment away from a right mess. Turns out it was entirely DWP fault. A fault on the system they said. May well happen next payment as it was a manual payment (?) today. I could understand it if it was a new claim, change in circs, change of address etc but there's NO change. At least I've got it now but week today I could have the same problem if they don't fix it. I've got the SS now on my back a bit (apparently I need to "calm down" - I'm perfectly calm when not pushed to extreme). I've got them coming to see the house tomorrow & no doubt will have them sniffing around for a bit. There's absolutely no need - it was purely a benefits issue. No doubt them sniffing round us will be costing the country money instead of them doing their job. There's nothing they can/need to do. But at least if I have this situation next week, they should be able to intervene. Anyway it's sorted for now.

The country really is shot to !!!!!!. Haven't really quite took it all in this last day or two - the reality is the foodbanks are of limited use unless your crisis is in the "right" day and the SS aren't really bothered about kids 'cos they tried to fob me off until I kicked off. To be honest I thought they'd just call the police but then they'd have 3 kids to sort & me at police station. Probably too much paperwork.

Thanks again for those who offered food, advice & support.

Elzmumof3

I am really glad it has now been sorted, such a shame you had to resort to SS before it was done tho - just put the hoover round before they come tomorrow and make them a cuppa lol!

epitome

This morning, did you ask for and receive a callback to confirm payment?
Did you ask for a priority call (1 hour) and did they refuse this to offer you the 3 hour window?

Or did you do what we told you not to do and just accept the promise of the first person you called?

When nothing happened after the 3 hours did you call back for an update?

Mikey, you will notice it was a standard HO.

mikey_bach

epitome wrote: »

?

Mikey, you will notice it was a standard HO.

To be honest I am Memoed out
been on them all day, am exhausted
OP has had a nightmare and it a disgrace

alwaystryyourbest

I think you need to try to get some saving behind you now, incase this happens again, do some car boots or sell some things on eBay...
Everyone with kids should have some saving behind them....and food in the cupboards/. freezer

SandraScarlett

I am sooooooooooo glad that everything is sorted out - for now. Although you have been treated disgracefully, and had to resort to SS, at least they're now in the loop, and, God forbid, this happens again, they have all your info, and can pull strings faster than us mere mortals.;)

If you have limited funds, it's hard to build up a stock of food, and money, but I hope you'll be able to get some large bags of pasta, and some sauces, perhaps when they're on special offer, so that you have a couple of emergency meals on hand.

Changing the subject, I am expected to be carted off in irons, as I've just (this evening) discovered that DH hid the CT bill in the freezer (he has Alzheimers ), and cancelled all our Direct Debits. :eek: What a bit of luck I defrosted a casserole tonight, and found the CT bill below!

xx

[Deleted User]

Its lovely the church helped you out but not a lovely situation to be in

The worst thing is feeling helpless and that no-one CARES but the least they can do is their JOB!!

You have every right to be angry and although the 'system' is disheartening and not understanding there are lots of people on here who's heart not just went out to you but they offered real practical help which is the way all of us are going to have to go

Any care from the government etc has completely gone out of the window now , that is where our fellow man comes in , but WELL DONE FOR FIGHTING for your rights and those of your precious children , it seems everything is a fight now , but well done for winning the battle in the end :j:j:j

( I think plenty of chocolate , hot tea and warm hugs sent from your fellow MSE'ers is called for now after those past few days you have had! ) xxxxxxxx