I Am Literally Broke - What Do I Do?

Legacy_user

Okay so I am gonna add context here. I am currently unemployed. Income is £317 Universal Credit and outgo is way higher (like £200 higher).

I have £2 to last me until 1st April. Friends and family have run out of all goodwill, loans and gifts they can possibly offer. I am literally sinking with concrete strapped to my feet right now.

- CAB cannot help me, there is nothing I'm eligible for
- I am receiving all benefits I am entitled to
- I have approached charities, and been turned down by all of them
- My issue is not "money management" it's simply that the money isn't there to start with
- It is a 4 mile walk to/from the food bank and the weather is horrendous lately, I have no ride to get there (plus I have food allergies and can't really eat tinned food)
- I have nothing to sell (even my clothes are moth-eaten)

I don't know what to do at all. I have LITERALLY no money. I have some food in the cupboards, but I've £85 of unpaid bills still to go with £2 in the bank to pay it with. I have never seen such poverty in my entire life - and I was the "poor" kid in school!

Please for the sake of my sanity don't suggest "getting a job while I look for a job" (literally the #1 advice people give me). Honestly it's the worst suggestion, and I already apply for up to 5 jobs a day.

From 1st April I will be able to cover my bills, which will leave me with £12 a month for food, which means I'll be losing weight at least, I guess.

zippygeorgeandben

I don't think you have given context actually, certainly none which can help us give advice.

Ms_Chocaholic

What are your food allergies?

System

zippy - what do you mean context? I am unemployed (if you must know the reason I left my job to take care of both of my sick parents and then they died, not that it's your business) and that is my situation. What on earth are you implying?

Food allergies: all fruit and veg (yes all of them), I can't eat bread/gluten and canned pastas/canned meats gives me an upset stomach. My body works best with meat, fish, cheese and eggs - none of which my local food bank provides.

elsien

RJ9001983 wrote: »

zippy - what do you mean context? I am unemployed (if you must know the reason I left my job to take care of both of my sick parents and then they died, not that it's your business) and that is my situation. What on earth are you implying?

Food allergies: all fruit and veg (yes all of them), I can't eat bread/gluten and canned pastas/canned meats gives me an upset stomach. My body works best with meat, fish, cheese and eggs - none of which my local food bank provides.

1. No-one was implying anything.
2. I do not believe you have allergies to all fruit and veg, gluten and most tinned products. You may not like them. You may not be used to them. But allergic? Nope.

sourcrates

RJ9001983 wrote: »

zippy - what do you mean context? I am unemployed (if you must know the reason I left my job to take care of both of my sick parents and then they died, not that it's your business) and that is my situation. What on earth are you implying?

Food allergies: all fruit and veg (yes all of them), I can't eat bread/gluten and canned pastas/canned meats gives me an upset stomach. My body works best with meat, fish, cheese and eggs - none of which my local food bank provides.

Right, well that is a little bit more context to start with then, you left your job voluntarily so you cannot access unemployment benefits, no one is trying to trip you up here, but we are not mind readers either, the more information you can give us, the better advice you will get.

Is there a property that belonged to your parents ? Anything from a will ?

Are you paying off any debts ? Do you pay rent or mortgage ?

zippygeorgeandben

I understand that you are highly strung at the moment but the more context you can give us the better.

theoretica

I think it would help to look at your bills. Eating is probably more important than some of them.

Are you in town or country?

undlou

Yes, you should get a job! What type of work are you currently seeking? How long have you been searching for a job? How are you searching for jobs? What area do you live in?

Have you considered apprenticeships if you don't have any "skills"? This really benefits both the employee and the employer as there are government grants that pay the course fees.

I am sorry for the loss of your parents, it really is sad. If it is a mental illness getting in the way of getting a job, I would suggest visiting the doctors for help. I've received therapy, CBT and my partner have received help for his PTSD as well as bereavement counseling. There is a lot there to help anyone struggling with depression.

soolin

elsien wrote: »

1. No-one was implying anything.
2. I do not believe you have allergies to all fruit and veg, gluten and most tinned products. You may not like them. You may not be used to them. But allergic? Nope.

My worry here is the food issue as you seem to be putting a lot of problems in place to stop yourself eating, have you mentioned this to a GP are you getting any support or help?

I can understand the gluten issue as I'm a coeliac, however, it is near impossible to be allergic to all fruit and veg. Fruit and veg is not one food type, you would need so many allergies that they would be writing papers about you in the medical press. Also, and apologies for labouring the point but you use the word allergies, are you allergic, i.e. Have an epi pen for anaphalysis or intolerant? If intolerant then small quantities can be eaten without serious issues and perhaps eating a baked potato or something might be worth it rather than starve. As for tins, cheap baked beans are usually gluten free and are very often available from a food bank.

Forget other bills at the moment you need to eat at least. If none of the charities are helping at all and you are not due any more benefits, then it suggests that there is something else going on in the background and people on here would need to know the details before they can advise you better.

Brenster

You have come on here asking for help, and then when people ask for more information you jump down their throat.

I am sorry you are in the situation you are in, but if i was in your position, i would be knocking on doors asking if people want their cars cleaned / windows cleaned / grass cut (well not yet but next month) / even consider getting a paper round / delivering leaflets. I know all of the suggestions are not particularly attractive, but it is all about paying bills and putting food on the table. Also these will give you motivation and a more positive outlook.

Good Luck