Going back to work from ESA, but can't afford bus ticket

topaztiger1983

I am going back to work in a couple of weeks from being on ESA, but I don't have enough money to pay for a bus ticket to get to work

Alice_Walker

The Jobcentre may help from the discretionary fund, or your local council may offer a crisis loan. Alternatively is there something you could sell or pawn?

topaztiger1983

OK I will look into it, also I have nothing of vale to sell, lol

*~Zephyr~*

You can't scrape together a bus fare from the Betterware sales?

Poppie68

Put some money aside now from your ESA and then once back at work ask for an advance?

missbiggles1

How much are you talking about?

topaztiger1983

£54 for the month

DCFC79

topaztiger1983 wrote: »

£54 for the month

Could you not buy a weekly ticket ?

topaztiger1983

£14 but I get paid 4 weekly so not really gonna help

Poppie68

If you put £14 away over the next 2 weeks at least that would cover you for the first week back, or even just save enough for a day return and phone your manager before you go back and ask if a cash advance can be made available on your first day back.

Placitasgirl

Did you not have any idea that you would be returning to work eventually and set aside a regular amount from your ESA to cover your travel costs when the time came?

Clearly travelling to and from work now that you're fit to return must be a priority for you, so between now and then you will need to cut out any spending that isn't absolutely critical to save the fare. If you haven't set anything aside you do still have a few weeks to do this, or to ask relatives if they could assist you with a short term loan, which you could repay from your first salary.

Alternately could you perhaps approach your HR department in confidence (as they will already be aware of your personal/sickness situation) and ask if an interest free loan or advance against your wages would be possible.

Alternately could you check whether any of your work colleagues live nearby and could offer you lifts to and from work for a contribution to their fuel costs on pay day?

Good luck back at work and make a promise to yourself to start an emergency fund, contributing a small amount of your salary each month for situations like this.