How do I get through the night?

Hopeful_Future

Hi
I'm a 20 year old woman with a 9 month old baby girl. After dealing with just over 2 years of extreme domestic violence from my ex partner/daughter's father I've finally managed to get rid of him. As well as being physically he was also doing what I now know is called psychological abuse. He completely controlled the finances and I had to ask or beg him even for money to buy nappies and milk for my little girl. A year ago my grandma passed away and left me a small inheritance (4 figure sum). My ex partner forced me to put the inheritance into a joint account with him. He's now spent it all and left me penniless. Since he finally moved out last week I've had no income at all. He drained all the cash I had from my savings and from my grandma and he even took our joint accounts deep into overdraft. I've now got around 20p left in my bank account and I don't know what to do.

I've been on the phone to the Job Centre and to the CAB and other organisations. I'm told that because I'm a lone parent I'm entitled to some kinds of benefits at least in theory. A neighbour told me that I am eligible for an emergency loan from the Social Fund. I called the Job CEntre and the DWP only to be told that they no longer do Social Fund payments. They said there's simply no way that I can get any emergency money.

I have no heating. No food at all for my baby or myself and no money for bus or DLR fare. I also don't have any family I can go to or close friends. During my relationship with my ex he systemetically cut me off from my friends.

It's freezing cold. We are both starving and I'm so terrified.

Can anyone give me any pointers.

ohreally

http://womensaid.wpengine.com/

Andypandyboy

Woman's Aid? I am sure if you call them they will help. If you don't have the number call your local Samaritans. I hope you find the help you need.

ohreally

Also contact your local authority social services, they will operate out of hours.

Hopeful_Future

I just called Womens Aid and got a message asking me to leave a voicemail. I went to their website but it seems they offer phone advice. I am not sure if they can help me in any way to get the heating on or get some food in the near future

Hopeful_Future

The one thing I do have is a roof over my head. We've no heating anymore but I do have the flat. The local council said they could assist me if I was homeless in that I could go into some kind of emergency hostel. But I am not homeless.

pandora205

Is there a Children's Centre (Surestart Centre) locally that you could pop in to? They usually have family workers would are knowledgeable about local services, charities, etc. and would be very helpful.

pliusas

omg! where do you live? Maybe somewhere close and I can help with nappies or smth I wanted to offer the same as kittygirl20, but I can do it just on monday cant believe some ppl can be so idiots and leave baby with no food or heating
Should be someone who can help you. How about ex partner parents? if son is idiot maybe grandparents still have hearts?

BigAunty

Foodbank - some take direct requests but most need a referral from places like Citizens Advice, perhaps Job Centre/DWP and other places.

Hopeful_Future

The Job Centre should have helped refer me to a foodbank when I was on the phone there multiple times per day. The woman I spoke to twice at the Job Centre just sounded really bored. You got the impression she deals with people with no food every day (this is a low income borough I live in) and that she'd like to help but is bored of it.

duchy

Ring your local Salvation Army
Here's a list of London branches and phone numbers

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=salvation+army+London&rflfq=1&rlha=0&tbm=lcl&rlfi=hd:;si:1269860926580974304