Teetering on the brink

EatingBeans

Three more things posted this morning (two from me, one from dd2). I think we will be ok now. I am going to continue to list just to be sure but I am feeling as confident as I can be that we wont actually run out of cash now. Phew!

I know I named this diary ‘Teetering on the Brink’ but I was rather hoping I wasn’t going to be cutting it this close! 😅

I have at least received a notification that my passport has been approved so I am expecting it to be printed and posted in the next couple of days. 👍 I know I may not get offered the job I want but at least I wont be offered it and then have to turn it down because I can’t prove my right to work!

16 days until I get my pay out and hopefully I can breathe a long sign of relief! It obviously wont solve the debt problem completely but hopefully it will bring it back to a level where I can work my way out of it rather than constantly spiralling deeper. 🤞

Cherryfudge

You two really are on a roll! Excellent that you've fought your way out of the corner. 😊 Are you feeling buoyed up by success and raring to go, or do you need to take a break? I'm thinking a few more listings might help build a safety rail along that brink. 😊

You are inspiring me to list a few more items as I have far too much that I don't actually need but am hanging on to because at some point it seemed like a good idea.

It's great that your passport will soon be with you!

ellenvan

Really well done.

You can now start making plans for managing your payout.

Although if at all possible continue to do some listings and posting . A built in safety net always comes in handy.

EatingBeans

Well, pushing through yesterday has now bitten me on the bum - the TN is back with a vengeance. 😞 It could be because I forgot to take enough tablets yesterday, I honestly cannot remember.

Sadly, that meant no more listing for me just yet but I have made another sale at least.

My thoughts are now directed to post payout now though. I’ve been pondering the Universal Credit lady’s suggestion that I wont get anything until after my payout but that doesn’t seem right to me. I am after all unemployed and not expecting wages, rather PILOH and the lump sum. I am sure that classes as capital so surely I should be able to get JSA from the end date of employment? 🤔 I have decided to go and check in with the CAB tomorrow to make sure there is nothing else I can be getting to help. I am not getting paid for any time after 1st June, I currently have no savings (I wish!) and I am actively looking for work, so surely JSA fits? It is all so complicated.

bubblycrazy

Massive well done to the both of you for reaching your target sales! You've inspired me to start listing my mountain of items that have been waiting to be listed for way to long. I hope CAB can help and you are entitled to JSA. I also hope your TN flair up settles down soon.

EatingBeans

Thanks. 🤞

I decided I’d had enough stressing about money and wanted to do something to try and cheer me up so I opted to do something outside in my van. 🙂 I’m sure the neighbours probably think I have lost the plot as it is currently parked half on/half off the payment on the main road and I’ve been tinkering in it for hours, but hey ho, it is better than being in bed and it is somewhat distracting me from the pain. Two side panels and a wheel arch insulated and I’m giving up for the day. It’s slow progress but it is at least progress. I can’t wait to be able to go places in it. Preferably this year! 🤣

Oh, editing to say I sold two more things while I was in the van! 😁

Cherryfudge

I'm sorry to hear about the flare up. What an inspiration to use the time on the van, though!

EatingBeans

Three more things posted this morning. 👍

I also finally managed to call and start a claim for PIP. I very much doubt I will get it but everywhere I go they asked if I’ve claimed for PIP and then look at me suspiciously when I say I’ve not even tried. Tbh I think the thing that has put me off the most is knowing they will ask me a barrage of questions on the phone and you can’t start the process without that initial phone call. I am not sure why the process is so triggering for me but even though the guy asking was very nice, I still really struggled. He didn’t even have to ask what is wrong with me but it didn’t matter, by the end of the 13 minute conversation I found myself completely unable to think and just sobbed down the phone at the poor guy. 😭 I will definitely need some help filling out the form! I think it is a bit like debt - you have to acknowledge there is a problem before you can move forward. In this case, by claiming PIP I am acknowledging that I am not capable of doing normal stuff and that I actually need help. Obviously internally I already know I need help, but accepting that around my family is one thing, accepting it to the general world is quite another. I know I’ve been writing about it on here for quite a while but it’s all anonymous on here so it feels safer. I don’t know how to explain it. It just feels like a big deal. For the same reason I still don’t know if I should be applying for ESA or JSA. I’ll never be able to dig myself out of debts if I am just on benefits so I want a job but I could very easily find myself unable to do the job and I will have just prolonged the inevitable. What can I say, I am just stubborn! If I had given in and started a DMP a year ago I would probably be closer to being debt free by now but even knowing that I still don’t want to give in and go down that route. Maybe one day I will be able to do it but the fact that I’ve been off work since last October and I am only now claiming PIP does not bode well for the DMP. 🤦‍♀️

satchmo1

Well done on starting the G*d awful PIP process. Just a heads up, they generally reject a first application, only for it to be accepted on appeal - so don't let that put you off.

My sister asked me to proof read her application and I edited it to use much stronger wording, so if you can, get someone who knows your situation to have a look at it before your submit it. (It's easier to be forceful on someone else's behalf)

joedenise

If you can get someone who already claims PIP or similar benefit they'll know the sort of things you need to say. It's important to base your answers on your worst days not your best ones!