pub bankruptcy

forestpottsy

I intend to go tomorrow and find the local benefits office and cut out the middle offoce IE CAB as it will probably be quicker.

We NEVER saw BR as an easy fix, but were backed that far into a corner we couldnt get out. And still did a lot of research as we had tried our best to pay our way out of it, hence hubby going back to full time work in Dec. Just felt like we were in quicksand and the more we pumped in, the less we were getting done and paid.

Just want now to get ourselves sorted cos sick of working for everyone elses benfit and not ours.

Hate thye thought of going cap in hand to benefits people but goodnes only knows we have both paid enough in over the years. Between us in a working career spanning a combined total of nearly 60 years paying into the system, we have a combined unemployment total of under 4 weeks, and less thyan 2 weeks of that (combined) has been claimed for.

I think we have put in enough to not feel guilty about taking a bit out, although it doesnt make it any easier, we are both proud and hardworking people who up until now have provided for ourselves, working our way out of trouble.

forestpottsy

Another busy day today. Have been trying to see what if any benefits we qualify for.

Started with Or calling to say that the machine income is in Punch's hands and OR office is gonna have to fight for it. They have admitted that Punch should not have just gone in and taken it anyway but say that all they can do is write to them to ask for it back. They also say Punch are keeping our deposit. What happened to the OR claiming all our assets and then spreading them fairly? They say again all they can do is write to Punch. Sorry but obviously here Punch have more clout than the OR. Am I missing something?

I went down to the local jobcentre and was referred to a telephone claim line to see what we were entitled to. After spending nearly 2 hrs in a phone box (freephone number so wasnt about to use mobile), because hubby works 40hrs a week I am told I am entitled to nothing (never even asked about his wages, just his hours). Told to put in a claim for WFTC which we are awaiting forms anyway.

I was told to phone social fund to ask for a payment for me and the kids until end of the month, being as the OR, by not jumping on Punch straight away, has left us without even essential living expenses ie food. Plus cooker in caravan doesnt work so should qualify straight away for help. Then referred to crisis loans not social fund.

Got a REALLY snotty woman who said that as I have no income other than child benefit I need to apply for benefit. I told her I had and we didnt qualify and that was why benefit put me to social fund and then crisi ,loan.

Told I cannot apply cos they cannot take payments out of child benefit and hubby would have to apply. Informed them that kids are with me and it is for them I was applying. 4 hrs later and still going round in circles.

I was told if we were seperated then I could claim for evrrything and have a non pay back payment withinh hours. GRRRRRRRRRRRR

I wonder why we bother paying into the system at all.

Anyway, hubby has had to have more time off to apply for a payment. He eventually got one after they agreed we were in extreme hardship and had basically been given the runaraound.

Only to be told he had to collect it from Skeggy jobcentre by 4.30pm. He's in Nottingham and it's now 3.45pm.

Eventually they agreed I could collect it if he could fax relevant ID through.

well, we managed it with 2 minutes to spare.

It just makes you wonder why you bother paying into a system that it is so hard to get help from. No wonder people make a career out of playing the system, its much easier. I see what the press mean now by the benefits culture.

Its the first time we have had to ask for help and it feels as if every possible brick wall was put in our way.

We would be so much better off if we were to split up as everything would then be thrown at me and the kids.

I actually got quite frustrated at one point and said to the lady i was talking to that if I was a one legged lesbian Armenian I would have found it easier to get help help than I have today as someone who had never shirked work and paid into the state since I was 16. She agreed.

We are doing our best to NOT be a burden as hubby is still working and although we are techinically homeless, we have not asked to be housed or claimed HB etc. Wonder if its worth it. Seems far easier to just give up altogether and get swallowed into the beneifts system.

So_Sad_Angel

Hi FP

OMG what a day!! BIG HUGS !!! what a great Mum you are!!!

Holding the whole situation together you deserve a medal!!

Life is tough...this makes us stronger.

Keep calm, make a plan for tomorrow & keep pushing for help...I agree that you have paid enough into the `system` to deserve assistance when needed!!

Take care sweetie & sleep well.

Angelx

forestpottsy

Thanks SSA.

Just feel like I am banging my head against a brick wall. Okay, we finally got some help, but I can see now why people who are not used to the system just give up.

There were 4 of us waiting for payments at the Skeggy office and the other 3 were just moaning cos apparently they are supposed to hand them out at 4.30 on the dot so they can be cashed at the post office before it shuts at 5pm. we got them at 4.55 pm and they were whinging at the staff. Ours has to wait until saturday anyway when hubby is here to sign cos I am not going to forge his signature and its in his name.

But of the other 3, one said he applies once a month "cos his benefit isnt enough and its so easy to get." He moaned that they should have been there on the dot at 4.30 and said he was sposed to have met his mates in the pub by 5pm and they'd move on without him if he wasn't there. The 2 nd one just abused the staff for being after 4.30 and the third knew all the security guards and said he would complain officially if he was kept waiting any longer and if he didnt manage to cash it by 5pm.

I really felt like just sitting there and crying. I have always paid into the system and found it so humiliating to have to ask for help, and after being given the runaround there were these people abusing staff as if it was their god given RIGHT to ask for and get what they wanted.

Shameful thing is, they get it whenever they ask and because hardworking people aren't on the system, its harder to get help.

no wonder this country is going to the dogs.

Anyway, I felt more positive today, even in the midst of all of this. I had a bloody good sob last night for the first time. I think I needed it, cos I have been the strong one throughout and it was bound to take its toll sooner or later.

Onwards and upwards. Tomorrow's another day.

RAS

Hi

The benefits system is really debilitiating. I always felt crap whe I was involved with them. But, you are entitled and it will not be for long. Keep you chin up.

And remember have a good sob is much better than wrecking your body trying to keep it in.

rog2

Hi fp - all I can say is that I, too, received the same type of arrogant indifference when I applied for benefits after bankruptcy - was told that, as I had had my own business and was self-employed I was entitled to nothing, zilch, zero. Was told that I could always sell the house (even though my BI had by then passed to the OR/trustee). I was refused any form of Jobsekers Allowance and the 'attitude' was simply 'you got yourself into this mess, so you can get yourself out of it'. The fact that I had paid in over £80,000, through tax and NI in the past ten years counted for nothing.
I echo your thoughts and opinions of the 'benefit system'.
I, now, am doing what is, basically, a minimum wage job for 20 hours a week, purely in order to pay the bills, whilst I attempt to get back into business.
It is, as RAS says, extremely debilitating and we should not have to be treated in this way by what are, after all, public employees.
This is the reason that I suggested talking to CAB, or National Debtline, as they are used to taking on these faceless beaurocrats, whereas you, and me, are not.
I do hope you get something sorted.

nuttyp

bless you forestpotty. I live not too far from skeggy n yes there are quite a few lay gits who seem to get everything from the system.

When I went BR I was seperated from my husband, and I was given nothing. I had a small job and had to pay everything out of £130 a week including the rent. WFTC will back pay you but it does take a couple of weeks to get sorted. Im lucky enough to be trying to sort out my problems with him - all stress related causse of debts - and were trying to rebuild our lives.

Contact the HA and COUNCIL about finding somewhere to live, after all your in need. Dont take NO for an answer.

I wish I could help you with some money but im possibly as skint as you are, my thoughts are with you. At least on saturday (tomorrow) you can nip into morrisons and get a few essentials.

Keep your chin up, your a great mum, youve a roof over your head and youve got lots of love from your kids.

All the very very best sandra

Gillianh2

FP )))))))))))))))))))))))HUGS)))))))))))))))))))))
you are doing a brilliant job, keep your chin up and try to enjoy the weekend with your Hubby and family.

Good Luck

forestpottsy

Thanks to all for the above posts. Havent been on for a couple of days trying to spend some quality time with family!!

Our Or guy seems to be crp which dioesnt help. hubby rang him Thurs cos he had the letter through saying he had telephone interview at 11.30 Monday...on our old phone number. Guy never rang back and we dont know where we are now cos hubby also said he wouldn't have paperwork ready until about Weds.

Past upset now just seething at the benefits system and the way it has thus far treated us.

Will update 2moro when we know whether hubby is having phone inetrview or whther its delayed until later in the week.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend guys n girls, the sunshine is forecast for the Bank Holiday weekend so something to look forward to.

forestpottsy

Now I'm REALLY mad!!!!

Hubby has had interview with Or office. Everything went really smoothly until the end when he said they are claiming the caravan and we will have to buy it back off the OR for £450 which is what we paid for it.

Apart from the fact its 1/2 mine anyway, how are supposed to but it back off him with no money?

Plus they dont seem interested in claiming the £3000 odd back off punch, which I think classes then as preferential.

Any advice welcomed please cos I'm spitting mad now.