Is there ever 'not enough money' to pay down debt and start saving?

Fritterbug

I really want to get all my financial affairs in order, but it feels impossible when there's practically no money coming in, and so much going out. Is it ever a hopeless cause?
I'm a single parent to a 4 year old. I no longer work due to disability, but don't get any disability benefits as I'm no good at the interviews for them (I'm very reluctant to try again, as I feel quite uncomfortable asking for even more money to be handed to me while I sit at home doing nothing), so I'm just on standard Universal credit single person rate with child element (I get around £640 a month plus rent).
I'm only in around £1,500 of debt so it's not insurmountable, but I recently moved out of furnished accommodation into a new home and have a huge list of things I need to buy, such as carpets, an oven, curtains, blinds, beds, wardrobes, decor etc. We both also need completely new wardrobes as I've put on weight during lockdown and LO has gone up a size in clothes and shoes. It will take months to get just the basics together, and I wont be able to take LO for days out or get any treats at any point.
Even in a year or two, once all the debt's hopefully gone and we have all the basics we need, we'll still be struggling because my disability isn't likely to get any better and I feel very hopeless knowing that my LO is going to suffer and go without.

I can't motivate myself to start being frugal and aim for the future. I'd really appreciate any advice or experience, a big motivation boost is desperately needed!
Thanks

TheAble

You really can't work? Sounds odd that you can't work owing to disability but get no disability benefits.

Fritterbug

TheAble said:

You really can't work? Sounds odd that you can't work owing to disability but get no disability benefits.

Really. I assume that as it's an invisible physical disability, and the Doctors say there's no treatment for it, the DWP don't feel there's enough 'evidence'. I'm also autistic, so I'm not the best at communicating my issues clearly during the interviews.

Sncjw

Pip isn't about the diagnosis but what you struggle with. What you can't do.  Esa is about your capability to work. 

Fritterbug

Sncjw said:

Pip isn't about the diagnosis but what you struggle with. What you can't do.  Esa is about your capability to work. 

I've had a pip assessment in the past, they scored me 0 points in every area I told them I struggled with/couldn't manage. They said because I'm not receiving treatment and don't have anyone to advocate for me, I must be fine. I've asked my GP and local authority/council for treatment/help with daily living several times but everyone just says there's nothing they can do. I think the system's just a bit difficult to navigate, I've seen lots of posts online about how difficult it is to get if you don't have an advocate sorting it all for you unfortunately.

fatbelly

Your local citizens advice may have people who specialise in negotiating the disability benefits maze.

Do you feel that you could post a statement of affairs (link to calculator)?

[Deleted User]

Join Freecycle. There's always decent stuff that people are trying to get rid of including beds, cookers, washing machines, kitchen stuff - any number of things and a lot of it is only being given away because a new kitchen etc is going in and there's nothing wrong with. Your problem is, if you haven't a car is getting it delivered although there are a few kind souls on there who will deliver if it's not too far, just so they can get rid of it.

kimwp

In response to your original question, yes, sometimes people do not have enough income to pay off their debts. However sometimes people think they do not have enough when there might be things they haven't considered. Posting an SOA on here will mean getting some extra views to help with this.

I second talking to the CAB and also joining free cycle, olio, looking for free/cheap things on Facebook marketplace, Gumtree and preloved. Also charity shops for clothes- there's loads of nice stuff available.

ZaSa1418

Please do not worry about expensive days out for your child, i too used to worry about that all the time but the things my kids love the most are the free things like walking in the forests and playing in the parks. 

sourcrates

It can be difficult sometimes, an ex soldier who lost both legs in afgan, lives down the road from me, they took away his mobility benefits because he received new prosthetic legs, still can`t meet the criteria for walking distance, but they stopped them anyway, had to go through the appeals process, which took 8 months, only to be eventually awarded them back again on appeal.

You really need an advocate to help you with these things, I would say CAB should be able to help out, fatbelly, is this an area your organisation can help with ?

Blodyn82

I would really encourage you to try and claim PIP again and any other benefits you are entitled to. Where are you based? I know in Wales the Integrated Autism Services are good at supporting people with these kind of things, and they really do understand the difficulties you may face. There is also information on the NAS website on PIP. Autistic UK is peer led and can be really supportive, you can find them on Facebook. 

As others have said having an advocate would be really beneficial, or someone who knows you well and can help explain your difficulties. Often the PIP assessors don't know much about autism and don't understand the difficulties you may face on a day to day basis. Under the equality act you have a right for reasonable adjustments and this includes communication.