Running out of ideas

DayneD89

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Some thoughts:

1) Is there no way to get time off in lieu / reschedule work hours to get to the foodbank. This must be better than shoplifting. Or take holiday.
2) Have you looked if there are any grants available.
3) Are you able to get an advance from work?
4) Have you talked to your local Credit Union - some can offer loans at reasonable rates.
5) Phone stepchange and get Debt advice -
6) Does your uni have a crisis fund?
7) Contact your water co / gas & electric co - some have assistance funds -
8) Most councils have an emergency fund to prevent homelessness. Can you access this (perhaps with the help of CAB).

When you are over this immediate crisis, you need to get debt advice to reduce your current outgoings. See point 5.

1) Unfortunately not on short notice. I have time off booked from the 21st through to early Jan, but I haven't been able to get a whole day off. The foodbank is open from 11 till 12 I think, and I have an hours bus each way and I live a fair distance from the food bank so it would require the best part of a whole work day.
2) I've looked down that and sent messages to a few. They don't really seem to be fast solutions though, most say they aim to reply within a few months.
3) Another good shout, but I work for a large multinational and all the payroll is done from a completely different office with nobody seeming to know if it's possible or how to make such a request if it is.
4) Thats a very good idea. I'll be honest, my credit file isn't pretty. Still, I can show I'm working full time and that I'm starting a second job in Jan so it's worth a try, thanks!
5) Done and done. I'm struggling to focus on more than the immediate right now so I've put it on hold more than I should, but I have gone through plans with both to sort it out more medium term and past the end of my apprenticeship ill be able to finish them all off quickly anyway.
6) Yes, though I'm ineligible for everything due to being an apprentice.
7) They have given me extensions of emergency credit already. I'm not sure if they will again? Guess it can't hurt to try, and they do have me registered as having a dependant here.
8) I have contacted both my council and CA multiple times over the last few days and they've said that the food bank is the only thing available. It's Northumberland council if that helps.

Thanks for all the tips, it means so much that there are so many people like you putting so much time into trying to help!

DayneD89

Darksparkle wrote: »

Child benefit doesn't entitle you to tax credits. If genuine 50/50 custody and she isn't already claiming then there's nothing to stop you.

Alice_Holt wrote: »

Good point.
And in fact the CB and Child Tax Credits can be paid to different partners.
The OP should be able to make a claim for CTC if this is not being claimed by his ex, and the ex is happy with this arrangement (and he shares responsibility for his child).

Actually your wrong. When claiming any benefits I cannot claim I live with a dependent because I do not claim the CB. They can be paid to different people when it is a joint claim, but that is because the joint claim has a dependent. As mine would be a claim based off me with no dependents I could not get CTC. This would be no different if she lived with me only, the person claiming the CB is the one who has a dependant when it comes to benefits.

Alice_Holt

DayneD89 wrote: »

Thanks for all the tips, it means so much that there are so many people like you putting so much time into trying to help!

No problem.
Hope you get sorted.
Best wishes with the apprenticeship and uni.

System

Plenty of places to get free internet. Uni would've remained partially open, especially the library. If it came to it there's McDonalds, Wetherspoons, plenty of places you could go within wifi range to download/upload. A mate of mine living within spitting distance of a WH Smith used theirs for a year.

elsien

You do know your landlord can't just give you notice and have you out 30 days later?
I appreciate you'd really rather not have the upheaval, finding extra fees etc but even if he does give you notice then it would take longer than that to get you out.
Have you told him about your new second job and asked him to give you a bit longer if you can pay some of the arrears off but not all? After all it's going to cost him as well to get you out and find someone new so it can't hurt to ask if you are able to demonstrate you really are doing your best.

Have you heard of an app called Olio? That has people giving away food rather than binning it. Works better in towns and cities but may be worth a look at.

Freegle/freecycle - make a request for any surplus produce people have. You might find someone with the tail end of an allotment surplus looking for a good home. You could also put up a request for surplus nappies. Ditto any local free to collector FB groups.

Again, depending on where you live Sikh temples also do hot meals for people.

Darksparkle

DayneD89 wrote: »

Actually your wrong. When claiming any benefits I cannot claim I live with a dependent because I do not claim the CB. They can be paid to different people when it is a joint claim, but that is because the joint claim has a dependent. As mine would be a claim based off me with no dependents I could not get CTC. This would be no different if she lived with me only, the person claiming the CB is the one who has a dependant when it comes to benefits.

Actually you're wrong.

See here - https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/tax-credits-technical-manual/tctm02205

"When deciding main responsibility for a child or qualifying young person, the fact that someone receives Child Benefit for that child or qualifying young person must not be considered."

pmduk

OP, if you work for a multi-national do they have a welfare department or employee assistance programme? They may know the shortcuts within your organisation for an advance. Are you in a union, can they help? What about the student union at Uni?

ETA

You might get help here, particularly if you've previously been homeless: https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Benefits-support/Local-Welfare-Provision-NETS.aspx

Glen_Clark

Its not unknown for foodbanks to deliver to those who can't get there.
Might be worth asking, or looking for their website?

cantcope

I'd definitely ask someone to go to the foodbank for you or try to get a few hours out of work. my friends and i donate food, toiletries and things like nappies and baby food/unopened formula to our local foodbank. We are all at risk from needing it one day
Good luck x

Tammykitty

What about the Saint Vincent De Paul or Salvation army - they might help out with a food bank?


Do you have anything you could sell on a local facebook marketplace? You would be amazed at some of the things that could sell? (TV for starters?)




Have you explained to your ex-partner the situation? Could she help you out at all?


As for gas and electricity - I seem to recall reading somewhere that they cannot cut you off with a child in the house? Perhaps phone them and speak to them?


The BT bill - I understand you need internet for your uni - but is BT definitely the cheapest (and you don't need TV - so cancel that part of it - as its paid a month in advance - your next bill should be significantly lower)
Sky and talk talk and a number of other companies offer phone and internet for £25
I know this doesn't help immediately, but it will help for future months.


As per the previous posts- you do not have to leave your home without a court order. Have you explained the situation to your landlord - and hat you have a 2nd job starting in Jan, so will be able to make up any shortfall after that?


Do you have any family you can turn too, as any help at all would help tide you over.
Anyone that normally buys you Christmas presents - could you explain the situation to them, and ask for money now in lieu of your present?




You are doing the right thing prioritizing food and your job, for you bus fare to work - how far do you live from work could you walk some of it, or does anyone in work able to give you a lift?


Could you look into volunteering at a homeless shelter, where you will probably get a bowl of soup etc for yourself as well?