Can't afford to feed my kids

[PlonkerFace]

DP and I have 2 DP's and he has 2 DD's who moved in with us in March after a court order was made because their mother was emotionally abusing them etc. So there are 4 kids and 2 adults here. DP is self employed but hardly earns anything atm, All our benefits were stopped when they moved in on March 18th because we had to make new claims, we still haven't received any money yet (5 months later!!) because their mother had been lying and saying that they still live with her so that she can still claim the money for them. It's all she cares about. It's not just the money for the girls but our boys money has been stopped in the meantime too so we aren't getting a penny. We've sent all the evidence off that they've asked for (the court order, letters from social services etc). I've rang child tax every single day but they say they can't do anything because they have to give her until the 24th of this month to reply to her letter or send evidence off, she was sent to prison on the 22nd of July so she isn't going to reply to it, surely they have a way of checking if someone is in prison? Also, they have all the proof they need that they are with us so what are they waiting for? Both DP's are in nappies so that's expensive enough as it is, we have hardly any food left in the house,1 baby jar, hardly any baby milk, gas and electric are both on emergency and due to run out. I can usually rely on my mother to lend me money when I need it but we've been without money for so long now that I already owe her £200 so there is no way I can ask her again. The rent is months behind and the landlord is getting really pissed off. I just don't know what to do anymore, I'm sick to death of worrying where the next bit of food is coming from to feed the kids, or where the next money is coming from for gas/elec. we haven't been able to take the kids anywhere so far during the sumner holidays but that's the least of our worries at the moment, just thought it would be nice for them after everything their so called mother has put them through the last few years. They're not even going to look at our claim until the 24th so that doesn't even mean we'll get money on the 24th, it could still be a week or two after that, the food isn't going to last until tomorrow let alone 2/3 weeks away. My hair has started going grey and that isn't a joke, I'm 26! I'm so stressed out and drained from worrying myself sick over it that it's causing arguments between me and DP because we're so stressed, just don't know what to do anymore do you think citizens advice would do anything or should we just wait even longer?

Rose ffs! Are you hard of thinking? They had two kids between them that they were providing for day to day. They took in her DPs two DC. So that meant two extra DC to feed/clothe etc. Tricky but they might have managed it if their tax credits hadn't stopped five months ago!

No I agree but surely they can refer to a food bank! If the children are over 5 they won't have health visitor involvememt

Rain presumably the dad was already contributing half the costs of raising the older two

Stealth, it's all great in theory that you work around your partners hours and share childcare, but in reality it's extremely hard to find a job that is like that. 95% of jobs are 9-5. I've recently started a new job that I need training for and even that is 8-5 then I'll work evenings after training. I'm paying £590 a week for 3 kids childcare which I can only afford because I had savings. Suggesting op does ironing or cleaning will mean she'll be working cash in hand...that will affect her tax credits claim too.

The good thing is they'll backdate the claim 3 months so she'll get a big chunk in a few weeks time.

Um, just to say my local Foodbank has a free cafe. It's a Tressle Trust one. I am not sure if this happens across the country, but if your local one is similar it might be another place to get advice and at least get a cup of tea, perhaps a quiet moment and free biscuits and squash whilst you .........breathe............

RoseDawson - Have you read the op? They could afford to feed the children, but when her partners children came to live with them 5 months ago the mum kept claiming CTC and CB, and as she and her partner had to do a new claim as a couple all money, even the money for OPs 2 children was stopped. What should OPs partner have done? Left his daughters with an unsuitable parent? Passed them to social services to deal with? Have a little compassion.

OP, have you sent the court order to tax credits? I don't see how they are able to dispute it if there's court records that show your partner was granted residency. Get to the food bank in the mean time, some let you self refer but most need social services/doctors etc to refer. And call citizens advice - it's bloody shameful that 5 months later they've still not sorted this out.

Yes, you should be able to get a referral to food bank and local community assistance scheme which replaced the social fund, they usually do electric and gas top ups. Social worker can do these referrals for you.

Ok, try to get to gp tomorrow ( they can refer you to a foodbank) , then contact your MP, they can really push forward your claim with Tax Credits. And ignore ignorant twats moaning on about paying tax , I am also a tax payer , as are all of us .

Citizens advice or Children's centre??
Hound your social worker be a right pain in the arse

OP is suddenly looking after children who has been on the receiving end of emotional abuse, has 2 littlies in nappies, no food, on emergency electric and gas but is lambasted for being desperate for the money her children are entitled to!?

FFS if you're bitter about people receiving financial help when they need it, you need to give your head a wobble.

OP ask for a referral to your nearest food bank. Hope things improve soon.

I've reported rose for her nasty bigoted comments. Hopefully she's fucked off somewhere else now .

Hate summer I do take your point. Op getting a job is highly unlikely to help immediately, other than with guaranteed money coming in she might feel a lot happier about borrowing from her mum which imo is a reason to do it.
Then longer term she will be working and bringing in regular cash and all four children will be cared for by a parent. That will stop them reaching this point again in a month or six weeks

OP whereabouts are you?

Maybe someone close can help (I surely will if you're in the South East)

Also, Google your nearest Sikh Gurdwara (temple). They all serve food usually as early as 4am through to 10pm depending on the size. You just walk in, take off your shoes, cover your head and follow signs to "langar" (free food). You don't need to pray or anything , you can just eat and go as much as you like. More people should know about them !

Stealth, I didn't mean it as an immediate thing, but the water suppliers usually have brilliant trust funds just waiting to help.

Anyway, seem to have cross posted with about 50 other posters due to DDs extreme tardiness in going to bed

" They're not even going to look at our claim until the 24th so that doesn't even mean we'll get money on the 24th, it could still be a week or two after that"
And agree with whoever said mp. This is crap.

That's wonderful pendu I had no idea. I'm hoping OP tells us where she is so someone can help.

OP whereabouts are you? Could you post your approximate location as several of us have said we would like to help if we knew where you are?

Do bog off, Rose. Very unhelpful comments. Not possible for OP to get a job immediately and to help the current situation, though I think that much is obvious.

I'd second CAB first thing tomorrow and food bank referral, though you really shouldn't have to. I don't know what else to suggest. Good luck.

Contact a food bank in the morning. Where are you in the country? Perhaps people could recommend specific local charities that might be able to help.

Is there one of these near you if you have school aged kids? www.makelunch.org.uk/about

Some councils issue emergency grants up to £60 for people in need (I know Manchester does) it's a one off payment but when I applied it was approved and issued the same day ( they email a voucher that you can cash at any retail outlet with a pay point machine ). Check your local councils website tonight.

Yes I agree with you stealth, getting a job would obviously help in the long term a perhaps avoid them getting in this situation again. I think it's a big jump from 2 children to 4 in the space of a day.