Poor, Hungry, Stuck - Advice Please?

Legacy_user

This is the second post since March 2018 I'm making on this particular topic, and the last time I posted here people were outright abusive and exhibited horrendous behaviour, literally accusing me of lying and putting myself in a bad situation and purposely making myself unemployed.

Please, understand that I am a human being and that I am not lying, or purposely putting myself in this situation. I had some absolutely horrendous treatment last time I was here, and wouldn't have posted unless I was desperate

Ok so I apologize if this gets a bit long, I am going to try and lay out all details so that people know my situation's context. I am living on £307 benefits, alone in a house that is (thankfully) paid for (left to me by my parents in the Will).

I have literally £0 to last me until 1st November. I have a sandwich in the fridge, some cheese and a few sticks of salami that someone bought for me, and after that I have no food. Food is not so cheap where I live, shops that are physically accessible on foot are quite pricey (a 6 pack of eggs is about £1.65, a loaf of bread is £1.40, for example)

I am currently unemployed. I had to leave my job in June 2016 as my parents needed a carer cos they were sick/dying and there was nobody else to take on the role (they refused nurses/homes). In May/Oct 2017 they passed and I've been a jobseeker ever since.

I am applying for lots and lots of work. 342 jobs since February, in fact (I counted the number yesterday).

I have nobody to help me with money - even though I have previously paid back what I borrow I think people understandably got fed up of me asking, so now they just decline.

I've nothing to sell to bring in a few extra funds (I sold anything with value to pay people back previously who helped).

I've spoken to my Jobcentre Work Coach and he has assured me that not only can I not get an advance from them, but they cannot do anything else to help me.

I've called the CAB and they have said I am not entitled to anything else and all I can do is look for work and approach charities, etc.

I've called charities that offer small funds for people like me, but they're all out of money.

The nearest food bank is a total 4 mile walk (I cannot afford bus fare) and I have a bad back/sciatica and suffer an as-yet-undiagnosed chronic health problem, so I cannot walk that far all the time. And yes, it's hard for me to walk that far.

I cannot sell my house just yet as I have nowhere to go and this roof over my head is my only security right now. I know that no matter what, I have this roof which is better than lying on a cardboard box on the streets.

I don't need debt or money "management" advice, I simply have no money, that's the entirety of my problem right now. I've called all the people I pay bills to and knocked everything down to as minimal as I possibly can (no TV, no TV licence, no house phone, switched power suppliers, got the water rates knocked down a bit, cancelled my mobile contract for a PAYG sim - all I have is internet so I can look for work and not go completely insane while I am stuck in the house 24/7)

What do I do? I feel like all the advice I find makes it sound so easy to just pick up the phone and magic-up some cash, but I am in a situation where I am completely stuck. I can't even dumpster-dive at the back of shops or eateries, because they're all out of reach in staff-only areas where I live.

haras_nosirrah

If your house has more than 1 bedroom could you get a lodger?

k3lvc

So what does your £307pm go on ??

Assuming you're in a remote location where work is hard to come by then consider renting your house and moving to where there is work.

Presumably there's some feedback on the 342 applications you've made - is there a trend ? are there any actions you can take to address the feedback given ?

comeandgo

Do you have the reduction on council tax due to single occupancy? When did you last work and pay tax? Would you be due any tax rebates? Could you beg on the Main Street for a few hours? Do you have a drive to park a car anyone would be interested in renting? Could you offer storage at your house? Have you gone into businesses and asked about work? Shops, hotels etc are taking on staff for Christmas. From a business point of view It's easier to pick someone who looks presentable for work rather than get lots of cvs that need looking at and interviews.

Go and visit some friends at around meal times, they may feed you, in fact they should if they are real friends.

xylophone

I had to leave my job in June 2016

Is there any chance of returning to your previous employer?

Do consider a lodger.

https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/articles/rent-a-room-scheme-how-it-works-and-tax-rules

Sell the house and buy a one bedroom ground floor flat in the nearest town with good public transport?

You might try an approach to a local church re food - RC church might have a St Vincent de Paul group which might help.

Otherwise, would a neighbour be able to help with basic food supplies until you get benefits again?

gettingtheresometime

I was thinking of a lodger as well.


The other thing I thought of is that if your friends can't/won't lend you money, is there anyone who could drive you to a foodbank?


Also is there anyway you can get copies of your CV printed off so that you can hand them out 'on spec'?

Cheeky_Monkey

RJ9001983 wrote: »

I cannot sell my house just yet as I have nowhere to go and this roof over my head is my only security right now. I know that no matter what, I have this roof which is better than lying on a cardboard box on the streets.

Either get a lodger or sell the house. You will have plenty of time to find somewhere else whilst the sale goes through.

[Deleted User]

What does the £307 get spent on?

Is their a Lidl or Aldi?

Your work coach should help you get your CV up to scratch, also volunteering looks good on a CV too.

Check out the Christmas seasonal jobs.

System

k3lvc wrote: »

So what does your £307pm go on ??

Assuming you're in a remote location where work is hard to come by then consider renting your house and moving to where there is work.

Presumably there's some feedback on the 342 applications you've made - is there a trend ? are there any actions you can take to address the feedback given ?

Why are you assuming where I live? I live in a city and yes, work is STILL hard to come by.

No feedback. Sometimes I get interviews, and "you don't have enough experience" is always the response (even when I have 10 yrs of experience)

System

MarkN88 wrote: »

What does the £307 get spent on?

Is their a Lidl or Aldi?

Your work coach should help you get your CV up to scratch, also volunteering looks good on a CV too.

Check out the Christmas seasonal jobs.

No cheapie shops in walking distance sadly.

Council Tax, Utility Bills, Food, Necessary toiletries (sanitary products, etc). I've had my CV tinkered with twice and volunteering always costs money to do (you're basically working without an income) so this won't help. I need a job, even a min wage one.

System

Cheeky_Monkey wrote: »

Either get a lodger or sell the house. You will have plenty of time to find somewhere else whilst the sale goes through.

I cannot sell the house for reasons you literally quoted in your reply, no room for a lodger.