I'm about to start work, but can't afford travel expenses

Predaleko1984

I've posted in the employment thread that I am about to start work in Bath on Monday. It's basically a long term temp contract. I had no idea I'd get the job and I kind of blindly applied for the job without thinking I'd get it.

Adding to that I was on JSA until last week, then moved to ESA Monday under GPs advice and have a one month sicknote.

I live in Weston-super-Mare, and adding the fayres together with rail fayres (it's Mon to Fri 9-5 and I have to catch a bus for a 20 min journey from the station) it's going to be about £100 a week.

I am paid weekly and will not see my first pay cheque until the 16th of November. I literally about have £90 to last me until I get paid ESA whenever that is.

There is really no point me asking the job centre, as they're not that helpful and I don't want to mess people around. What help if any is there?

WillowCat

Just the train is £66.40 for the week. How much is the bus?

Kim_kim

Could you borrow a bike?

Could you borrow a bike just for the bus part?

Could you suck it up, contact your new employer & ask if anyone else who works there lives your way & might give you a lift?

Could they give you some subs as you go?

Predaleko1984

£18,50 for the week in Bath as it's about 15/20 mins from the town centre the workplace. That would be £85, but I would need money for food and electric (I have a prepaid meter and will need to wash clothes)

I can't ride a bike, and I'm limited with mobility (have bad asthma)

Money_maker

As the other thread said, you'll just have to use the bus for a week or two until you have some cash reserves.

Cheeky_Monkey

Can you start a new job on Monday if you've got a sick note for a month?

missapril75

Cash advance on credit card or use one to buy the rail pass?
Overdraft? Okay, you may be at a limit but the limit could be increased if the lender knows you're better off.

You might find someone offering a drive - I believe there are websites for such things.

Mersey_2

Predaleko1984 wrote: »

I've posted in the employment thread that I am about to start work in Bath on Monday.

I literally about have £90 to last me until I get paid ESA whenever that is.

There is really no point me asking the job centre, as they're not that helpful and I don't want to mess people around. What help if any is there?

The Flexible Support Fund is available.


It pays for things such as travel to and from work in the first 4 weeks.


So it is definitely worth applying for at the JobCentre.


It isn't widely known, but is available for just this purpose.

missapril75

Mersey wrote: »

The Flexible Support Fund is available.
It pays for things such as travel to and from work in the first 4 weeks.
So it is definitely worth applying for at the JobCentre.

I wondered about that (although that particular name means nothing). There were grants available from two different sources for such things when I worked there but they were JSA target related in my day and someone already having moved off JSA onto (then) Incapacity Ben/Income Support wouldn't have qualified.

Perhaps it's different since ESA came in?

Smartsaver7

Does the organisation do any season ticket loans, ask their HR department if you could get a loan deducted from your monthly pay

Predaleko1984

I've contacted the agency and the main one in charge rang me to say he would try and sort something. If it means refusing, then so be it.


Job Centre, I did pop in only to be told to ring up...surprise, surprise.

I want to be back into work, so I can move out near to my Mum (you can't sleep round here due to the noise, and that's for another discussion).