urgent help needed

princessjen85

hi there
i have been working all my life and paying tax since i was out of school.
Recently i took a minimum wage job as a job is better than no job.
two weeks ago spoke to wtc to update my circustances as had been on wtc for last year was told update of circs can take a few weeks as can renewals. called yesterday to find out update of circs is very quick and that previous agent had left a massive gap in my work history.

the agent yesterday then told me the new award would happen shortly but in mean time not to worry as i would still get paid today?!

alas i check the bank today no payment. Call up and the attitude of the staff is appauling they didnt give a dam, told me to basically put up n shut up and left me with no money or food or way to get to work now till friday when i get my wages.
Im not sure what to do anymore as they have put my job at risk i cant walk to work and back when its 2 miles away with arthiritis and no food for energy. Unfor dont have many friends or family who i can borrow from. Any advice much appreciated.

beecher2

Do you honestly have absolutely no food in the house? Find out if there's a food bank in your area. http://www.trusselltrust.org/map

If there's really no way of walking the 2 miles to work then you need to contact them and explain the situation. See if someone at work can give you a lift. Personally I'd hitch rather than miss work but understand there's safety issues there.

cattie

I don't mean to sound harsh, but as someone who has suffered with arthritis for many years, I don't consider a walk of 2 miles to work too long. Indeed I walked to & from work for donkey's years, which was further away than 2 miles. I actually enjoyed the walk, even in rain and snow & by body seemed to love the daily excercise.

At the time I needed every penny I could retain hold of from my salary to pay my mortgage & bills.

I can understand not having many friends or family who you can borrow from, but surely there is somebody who would not see you without food if you really have nothing in the home to eat? I know if I had a workmate with nothing to eat, I'd gladly bring something in with me along with my own lunch to share with him/her each day. And probably make extra for dinner so I could take in a meal for him/her to take home the following day to have for dinner.

How about a sub off of your employer if there is no other option. Or try a local church.

You mustn't take the attitude of the benefits staff personally. They get hundreds of such calls every day & have to put up with so much abuse that they just can't afford to get emotionally involved with claimants on the end of the phone. They have to learn to be detached, just like doctors do really.

starrystarry

cattie wrote: »

I don't mean to sound harsh, but as someone who has suffered with arthritis for many years, I don't consider a walk of 2 miles to work too long. Indeed I walked to & from work for donkey's years, which was further away than 2 miles. I actually enjoyed the walk, even in rain and snow & by body seemed to love the daily excercise.

Arthritis varies in type and severity though, just because you could walk 2 miles doesn't mean everyone else with arthritis can.