No money for food until payday?

Calz922

Hi I'm really worried about this and thought I'll post here to see if there is actually any help. Basically I really want to work but I'm scared that I won't have money until payday so how can I get food? Will a foodbank give me food without a voucher and if I am working. I am trying to save up but it is hard since I am moving and need to buy a duvet and also save up for train tickets for my appointment at a hospital. So what I am trying to ask is there any help out there moving from unemployment to employment? Thanks.

VfM4meplse

This is a difficult situation to find yourself in, OP. Perhaps post to the benefits board for some advice?

If you have internet access, have you thought about looking at Olio site, where local people share their excess food. Or if you live near a Sikh temple, they wll feed you for free (Indian vegetarian food, not to be left on your plate), no questions asked.

missapril75

The period prior to receiving first wages after being on benefit is not always the problem some think it is.

The first thing to remember is that JSA is paid fortnightly in arrears and there is usually a period to apply for between last signing and day of starting work.

Putting aside whether benefit levels are enough, when you're 'in the system' you get your two weeks money and it covers you for two weeks.

If you just got paid and you start work "tomorrow", with the 2 or 3 outstanding days to be claimed, you have just over two weeks worth of money to see you over the next two weeks.

If you got paid last week, in theory you still have half left and another week's worth to come, so you still have money to see you over the next two weeks.

Where it becomes more complicated is if you actually have expenses to get to work. But maybe you're one of the millions who can walk to work anyway. Maybe you have a tank full of petrol and/or maybe a car share is possible. Perhaps you have a bike or can get one cheap.

Perhaps you have a bit of money tucked away for bus fares. Maybe, knowing you're going to have wages instead of benefits, you can buy food on a credit card (if you have one) and use the cash that you'd otherwise have spent on food on your travel costs. Or buy a bus pass with a credit card.

If you don't have a credit card, maybe a bank loan or agreed overdraft on the basis that employed you can meet the repayments.

If it's a monthly paid job, you don't necessarily have to work a full month without pay. If the payday is the end of the month and you start work in he middle of the month then you are within two weeks of pay anyway - remembering that wages tend to be more than benefits.

It might be too late for your employer to pay you using the normal payroll method but that's not the same as being unable to pay. They can still pay you.

Of course, it's only half a month's pay and a full month before you get paid again, but that half month pay is still likely to be more than you've been living on. A week's pay on minimum wage is more than 2 weeks JSA.

Of course there may be other issues - already at overdraft limit (but remember you now have more income so it might be possible to increase it); it's only p/t work; special clothing is needed too; you're in rent arrears, whatever...

Does the extended payment for Housing Benefit still exist? There may be grants for a bus pass or a bike.

There are often ready made solutions by reading the stuff given to you that advises things like this.

Bottom line is be prepared and remember that starting work does bring advantages and that a little difficulty may be overcome.

I make no apology for painting a rosy picture. Sometimes that's what it is.

[Deleted User]

It can be about selecting the job that pays right.

Eg. Agency work that shall pay you weekly and then move on from that when you've got more money behind you.

If you like the new job and know you'll stay but you needs funds in the interim - pawning goods on buy back to see you through.

Stock up on bulky foods like porridge, baked beans, rice, pasta, protein bars, shop at right time yesterday I picked up a proper massive chicken & bacon pizza discounted as early as 7pm in the evening.

DomRavioli

Calz922 wrote: »

Hi I'm really worried about this and thought I'll post here to see if there is actually any help. Basically I really want to work but I'm scared that I won't have money until payday so how can I get food? Will a foodbank give me food without a voucher and if I am working. I am trying to save up but it is hard since I am moving and need to buy a duvet and also save up for train tickets for my appointment at a hospital. So what I am trying to ask is there any help out there moving from unemployment to employment? Thanks.

Head over to the old style board - plan to have a small store of non perishable food that will tide you over in any circumstance where you're short of money. A couple of cheap bags of pasta and 6 tins of chopped tomatoes will set you back less than £2 and will feed you for at least four days, and if you have a freezer, always freeze part of any loaf.

Its more about being prepared for when it does happen, than turning to other sources when it does happen.

Duvets are fairly cheap (£5 ish for a single, £8 ish for a double from wilko, argos et al), and if you're currently on an income based benefit, you should be able to apply to the bursar office for help with travel costs (usually these are refunded on production of a ticket and your entitlement to a specific benefit - a recent letter and such) so you would only need to find the money for that specific day and have it refunded, usually in cash on the same day you visit the hospital. Just be aware they usually close at around 4pm, sometimes earlier. Always call the hospital for advice first.

Its one thing to be prepared, and another to put yourself through unnecessary stress - there is more than enough information on here on how to feed yourself for £12 a week and eat well, and for those lean weeks even less. This allows you to get your buffer of a store cupboard and gives you the peace of mind.

I know how it feels to be "food insecure", having had literally nothing in the cupboards and three days till payday. Thankfully I had a wonderful boss who gave me a tenner (I came back with change!) to buy a couple of days of food. Its always there in the back of the mind of most people who have had nothing, perhaps a visit to moodgym.com.au might help with the thought process (it helped me and it is free).

vodkawitch1

Food banks will help if you explain your situation, I am a volunteer in one and they are very understanding.

baza52

missapril75 wrote: »

The period prior to receiving first wages after being on benefit is not always the problem some think it is.

The first thing to remember is that JSA is paid fortnightly in arrears and there is usually a period to apply for between last signing and day of starting work.

Putting aside whether benefit levels are enough, when you're 'in the system' you get your two weeks money and it covers you for two weeks.

If you just got paid and you start work "tomorrow", with the 2 or 3 outstanding days to be claimed, you have just over two weeks worth of money to see you over the next two weeks.
travel could cost more than a weeks JSA

If you got paid last week, in theory you still have half left and another week's worth to come, so you still have money to see you over the next two weeks.
2 weeks of JSA goes nowhere

Where it becomes more complicated is if you actually have expenses to get to work. But maybe you're one of the millions who can walk to work anyway. Maybe you have a tank full of petrol and/or maybe a car share is possible. Perhaps you have a bike or can get one cheap.
Perhaps they don't drive and buying a bike with the already limited cash to survive on is not always possible is it

Perhaps you have a bit of money tucked away for bus fares. Maybe, knowing you're going to have wages instead of benefits, you can buy food on a credit card (if you have one) and use the cash that you'd otherwise have spent on food on your travel costs. Or buy a bus pass with a credit card.
lots of people have credit cards given to them on JSA ? seriously

If you don't have a credit card, maybe a bank loan or agreed overdraft on the basis that employed you can meet the repayments.
a loan still has to be repaid, the chances of a bank lending money on this basis is pretty slim.

If it's a monthly paid job, you don't necessarily have to work a full month without pay. If the payday is the end of the month and you start work in he middle of the month then you are within two weeks of pay anyway - remembering that wages tend to be more than benefits.
or you start hallway through the month, are paid a week in arrears so get 1 weeks wage to last a month until next payday? Worse still you start halfway through the month and don't get paid until the following month receiving 5 weeks wages. how do you manage then?
It might be too late for your employer to pay you using the normal payroll method but that's not the same as being unable to pay. They can still pay you.
again a weeks money to last 5 weeks?

Of course, it's only half a month's pay and a full month before you get paid again, but that half month pay is still likely to be more than you've been living on. A week's pay on minimum wage is more than 2 weeks JSA.
being on JSA they wont have 6 weeks of travelling expenses to find and their rent was most likely paid or subsidised with housing benefit. Add to that council tax and your stuffed.

Of course there may be other issues - already at overdraft limit (but remember you now have more income so it might be possible to increase it); it's only p/t work; special clothing is needed too; you're in rent arrears, whatever...

Does the extended payment for Housing Benefit still exist? There may be grants for a bus pass or a bike.
may be grants? what help is this to the OP. You might as well say they may send you a free taxi in the morning.

There are often ready made solutions by reading the stuff given to you that advises things like this.

Bottom line is be prepared and remember that starting work does bring advantages and that a little difficulty may be overcome.

I make no apology for painting a rosy picture. Sometimes that's what it is.

In an ideal world all of what you suggest would be possible. Sadly the OP is not alone with this problem

Mersey_2

* A JSA/ESA claim will be paid until the day before the new job starts.


* If on JSA for over 26 weeks, there is no longer the automatic Job Grant of £100 when you start work; but, there is the Flexible Support Fund. You can apply for money for eg the first month's travel to and from work's costs, a haircut, work clothes and so on. It's discretionary and isn't advertised, but the local JCP does need to consider all applications.


* Yes, extended payment still exists for both Housing Benefit/LHA & Council Tax Support. This should be automatic, but it's best mentioning it when you close any JSA claim.


* Re food, yes there are foodbanks (usually based in the local church, but detail should be online). A referral is often required, but not always.


* There are a couple of companies, such as Approved Food, who deliver food at vastly reduced prices, because they have either bought in bulk and have stock over or because the use by date is within the next fortnight.


* There are lifts available for medical appointments, depending on your area and the need ie impairment will usually have to be physical or visual.

missapril75

baza52 wrote: »

In an ideal world all of what you suggest would be possible. Sadly the OP is not alone with this problem

Well done for looking at everything in a negative way.

2 weeks of JSA goes nowhere

You missed where I said to put aside whether benefit levels are enough.

The reality is that people have to live on it and make it last. Some manage better than others.

travel could cost more than a weeks JSA

Yes it could. Or it could cost nothing at all. Or it could cost somewhere in between.

Ever heard of people living in places with buildings, like, cities, and not far from work?

Perhaps they don't drive and buying a bike with the already limited cash to survive on is not always possible is it

Perhaps you HAVE a bike is what I said. You know, already, like. It's not unheard of.
I also suggested one could be bought cheap, you know used. Not everyone is penniless. Perhaps one could even be borrowed.

lots of people have credit cards given to them on JSA ? seriously

Maybe you need to take things a bit slower and read what people say. Here, let me help. Here's what I said - "Maybe... you can buy food on a credit card (if you have one)"
As in already have one (like maybe already have a bike). They don't get taken away when you apply for JSA.

a loan still has to be repaid, the chances of a bank lending money on this basis is pretty slim.

Really? People in work can't get loans? That's novel.

or you start hallway through the month, are paid a week in arrears so get 1 weeks wage to last a month until next payday? Worse still you start halfway through the month and don't get paid until the following month receiving 5 weeks wages. how do you manage then?

Here, let me add something to your glass.
People wait to get wages, shock horror. That's never happened before has it. Tell you what, let's have nobody ever start work because wages are paid in arrears.

I went from weekly paid to monthly paid a few decades ago. It didn't kill me. You have to be inventive. Or creative. Millions do it all the time you know. Everybody who starts work has to wait for next income. Fortunately they don't all put up barriers and, yes, some people will already have barriers. Why do you want to help them build more?

may be grants? what help is this to the OP. .

Well, you know, help them to buy a bus pass. Or a cheap bike. You know, something useful. Useful like everyone else's suggestions.

Check out Mersey's response. You might learn something.

Have you got some ulterior motive for putting people off starting work and improving their lives? That's the sort of thing one might expect from a Tory.

baza52

missapril75 wrote: »

Well done for looking at everything in a negative way.

You missed where I said to put aside whether benefit levels are enough.

The reality is that people have to live on it and make it last. Some manage better than others.

Yes it could. Or it could cost nothing at all. Or it could cost somewhere in between.

Ever heard of people living in places with buildings, like, cities, and not far from work?

Perhaps you HAVE a bike is what I said. You know, already, like. It's not unheard of.
I also suggested one could be bought cheap, you know used. Not everyone is penniless. Perhaps one could even be borrowed.

Maybe you need to take things a bit slower and read what people say. Here, let me help. Here's what I said - "Maybe... you can buy food on a credit card (if you have one)"
As in already have one (like maybe already have a bike). They don't get taken away when you apply for JSA.

Really? People in work can't get loans? That's novel.

Here, let me add something to your glass.
People wait to get wages, shock horror. That's never happened before has it. Tell you what, let's have nobody ever start work because wages are paid in arrears.

I went from weekly paid to monthly paid a few decades ago. It didn't kill me. You have to be inventive. Or creative. Millions do it all the time you know. Everybody who starts work has to wait for next income. Fortunately they don't all put up barriers and, yes, some people will already have barriers. Why do you want to help them build more?

Well, you know, help them to buy a bus pass. Or a cheap bike. You know, something useful. Useful like everyone else's suggestions.

Check out Mersey's response. You might learn something.

Have you got some ulterior motive for putting people off starting work and improving their lives? That's the sort of thing one might expect from a Tory.

I have NO motive for putting people off from starting work.
I am just pointing out that it can be a lot harder than most people think it is.
So you went from weekly paid to monthly "a few decades ago", had you gone from Jsa to monthly pay it would have been a lot different for you.

Its very easy for someone that's not on benefits to see every possibility as possible, when your in that position its not always that simple.

I'm just pointing out that the transition from not working to working can be a major hurdle to some people.

missapril75

baza52 wrote: »

I have NO motive for putting people off from starting work.
I am just pointing out that it can be a lot harder than most people think it is.
So you went from weekly paid to monthly "a few decades ago", had you gone from Jsa to monthly pay it would have been a lot different for you.

Its very easy for someone that's not on benefits to see every possibility as possible, when your in that position its not always that simple.

Well you shouldn't really make assumptions about people you don't know.

I went from a very low paid weekly job that was about £2 more than weekly benefits.
I also lived for a full year below the level of benefits I'd have got had I been signing on.

I managed because I knew things would get better. They often do when you're working.

Interesting point about every possibility being possible. If it wasn't possible, it wouldn't be a possibility would it. :rotfl:

That aside, you should have noticed I made suggestions and allowed for it not working by mentioning an alternative. I did that all through the post.