Frozen with fear

sourcrates

Hi,
Have you checked if you are entitled to any benefits ? maybe check with your local benefits office or CAB, im sure there must be some financial help somewhere for you.

Poolshark.Rockstar

Hi Snuffuls,

The painkillers etc you are on in conjunction with everything else..well I wouldn't rule depression out. Echoing everyone else's comment, I would also say that when you feel like this, the last thing you 'feel' like doing is traipsing down to the Citizens Advice Bureau, or going to Uni to have a difficult conversation but it is essential that you do. It's like anything that you don't want to do - when you have done it, you wonder why you got yourself so worried about it. Money should never be a reason not to sleep or to feel permanently on edge. If I were you, the first thing I would do would be to book those appointments, then divide my remaining cash up into the next 4 weeks (or longer if you can). You could probably do with giving serious consideration to deferring your studies - lots of people do it and a break could actually improve your results in the end. The best of luck to you. Oh, and whoever suggested a food bank - great idea. They are well run and full of kind, non judgemental people. Oh and you get fed! Bonus.

poi-sets-fire

Hi,

I work at a University and I would strongly advise you to seek help from Student Support Services (might be called something different at your University). They usually have a money advice team who can help you, not only with temporary loans, but also with working out a budget, etc. They usually have a drop in Service every day and are very helpful. Don't forget, your University has some duty of care towards their students, so it is unlikely they will just turn you away before all options are exhausted.
Best of luck!

NHS_worker_bee

Snuffuls wrote: »

My overdraft limit is £2000. I am up to -£1500 so I have £500 left to pay rent, food, prescription painkillers, phone and bills for another month, which I can just about manage on that. I can't extend my overdraft further. After that I don't know what to do or where to turn. I'm so scared and I feel sick all the time.

Hi and sorry to hear about your health problems. I have also experienced a recent health crisis which led to a drop in income. It's horrible when things like these happen outside of your control, but things won't be like this forever, they will improve.

A small moneysaving tip: as a full time student, you should be entitled to help with health costs. You are not entitled to these by default, but because you are a full time student and therefore on low/no income, you should meet the NHS low income criteria. (I did when I was a full time student, even with three part time jobs I was still classed as 'low income')

What you need to do is fill in a HC1 form and send it off: Depending on your circumstances, you can receive "full help" (HC2 certificate) or "partial help" (HC3 certificate). This will then cover the cost of any prescriptions you need for painkillers or anything else.

I hope this helps, I know it's only a small amount but it all helps. (And the certificate will be valid for a year and it covers lots of other helpful NHS things too, so might save you even more money in future...)

More info here: http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/nhs-low-income-scheme.aspx

getting-sorted-sarah

My daughter had the op for CT on both hands and it has changed her life completely! Local anaesthetic ops, and not much of a waiting list. It was difficult after the operations, not being able to dress etc properly, and there was some pain - but the carpal pain went pretty much straight away and she says she feel like she has been given new hands. Really hope this is possible for you.

haycorns

If your uni has a mental health adviser I would arrange to see them too. They are very influential in getting departments to make adjustments and getting additional support from support services. They can take some of the stress from you.

Remeber to think practically - if it take you a little longer to complete your degree , but takes the pressure off you , it may be worth considering. Don't drive yourself into the ground. Your health is the most important thing.

Rainbow82

Apply for dsa as it could pay for an amanuensis to type your thesis. I was paid by my university to do this for a student while I was studying for my masters. Alternatively place an advert in your department at uni for a first/second year student to type it for you. It shouldn't takeover than fourty hours of typing ie one full time week if work. You could either use a couple of hundred pounds out of the 500 you have left or if you find a student who needs to resit exams in the summer you could offer an equal number of hours free tuition. Obviously free tuition would be the easiest solution. Alternatively advertise in your local college there may be students who are planning to study linguistics in university and would appreciate some free a level English tuition in return fir doing your typing.

I remember how difficult it is to get any financial help as a student if you need to extend your degree, really no help at all so unfortunately you really need to get your dissertation done as soon as possible. As soon as it is handed in you will be able to apply for housing benefit, ESA (if you are unable to work just yet) etc and hopefully things will ge easier for you.