(Not a begging thread) fucking eating or heating

[Stuckandsadintheupsidedown]

Just a rant and certainly not begging. I just can't believe I'm in this position and could use some advice. I haven't name changed.

A while ago I was quite good financially but this year has utterly crippled me. I kicked abusive violent ex partner out in May finally, went to the police etc, it's all going through the cps now and I have lovely emotional support via women's aid. I applied for help from HMRC as I only work part time. I had to cut back on some of my hours as I wasn't safe getting home from work late (he stalked me for 3 months until bail conditions kicked in)
I've been applying for full time since summer but I live in a touristy area and competition is quite fierce.
Childcare is expensive (have 1 primary aged dc) but I'm managing to keep on top of my rent and childcare bills. Checked my account today, to see if my £20 cheque that was a Christmas gift from my uncle has cleared.
£15 of it has been swallowed by Wi-Fi payment that I totally forgot about so not I have £5.83 to last until Friday.
I'm in my emergency credit on the electric meter.
I literally have to choose to not heat my home in order to feed me and dc this week.
We have some gifted Xmas chocolate left, plus eggs and flour and butter so I know we will just about scrape it. But it's so fucking depressing. I'm trying to keep going and be proud I escaped but it feels like punishment some days.
I don't want to borrow money because I can't pay it back without dipping into next month iyswim, I asked the bank for a small overdraft but have been declined.
Just utterly defeated this afternoon.

It’s hard isn’t mate I know.
I didn’t know that about fuel suppliers either that’s a good piece of advice. Blankets or duvets over both of you to keep warm.
Good luck with the shopping.

Have you checked any loyalty cards you have to see if you have points you can use too?

Who is your energy supplier? A lot of them will extend the emergency credit (think it costs £3 and you can only do it once in 12 months) I had to call British Gas last Friday as my maintenance hadn’t gone in so they put extra money on both my gas and electric and it will be taken when I next top up (tomorrow) either in full (if I top up enough) or a percentage each time I top up to pay off the debt. So don’t panic, you don’t have to choose ‘heat or eat’ it was literally a 5 minute conversation and they couldn’t have been more helpful.

Cross post with lots of others saying the same. Don’t panic op - you can get over this bump.

These guys are really useful too. I don't if they cover your area but you can check it quickly on their website.

applyforleap.org.uk

I've been there, and I was pregnant at the time. I second getting a food bank referral. You and the DC can't go hungry.

Double check where you can get food bank vouchers, they’re not all from social work. DP works for a charity that carry them too and give them at their own discretion. Not sure if the food bank themselves would be able to direct to you services.

Not sure which part of the country you based but i saw an advert on the side of a London bus. It was for a website that is all about people sharing food. I downloaded it on my phone because It seem a good way to help the environment. It is called OLIO, there are people offering stuff their all the time-hope that at least can of some use to you.

Honestly just go to your nearest food bank, social services will not get involved because you're struggling money wise. Do you get any help with benefits?

Also some food banks can help with emergency heating so I would give that ago x

@Stuckandsadintheupsidedown does your seaside town begin with an S??

Do you have anything like nectar points saved?

You can access food banks without SS involvement.

Please do.

I know it's probably not allowed but I would happily send you £5 if it would help.

I am so sorry that you are in this shit situation op, you have been so strong. I hope that things look up for you really soon, you deserve an easier, happier life.

If you can get a food bank referral then I'm sure I saw something recently about them also giving emergency fuel credits. But you have to have the food bank referral to qualify.

Also, someone I know was talking about this the other day (from a green perspective), free apps that enable access to commercial foods that would otherwise be wasted at the end of the day:

toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb

Worth looking into (and no need to divulge financial/social circumstances).

I am so sorry to hear your situation. Things will get better for you.
Please consider the food bank, that is what it is there for. I think amongst other places the doctors surgery can give you a food bank voucher and I’m sure there is no need for them to inform social services. Take care xx

I was coming on to ask if you had OLIO where you live. There's an app and where I live, the supermarkets donate food that is going out of date which you can then collect.

Do you get universal credit? Are they helping with housing costs?

Check local FB groups, we have one that is free and another one specifically for people in need.

Not sure what it’s like oop nooorth but here in middle England it is pretty mild, was out gardening in just a top today

Yes op can get wtc for the first time if she was currently receiving ctc.
Op food banks don’t refer to ss.

I’m am sorry you’re going though this, @Stuckandsadintheupsidedown. I’ve been there with the “not enough money for food and heating” and it’s truly shit.

It sounds like this is a relatively temporary thing so I’d agree with all of the above regarding a food bank, contacting your energy supplier and looking to see if there’s a gudwara near you as they do communal meals every day and you don’t need to be Sikh (or indeed of any religion) to go there. All are welcome.

I know this feels like a kick in the guts after all you’ve been through and how hard you’ve worked to protect your daughter from the truth of what’s happened, but it’s just a temporary set back. Onwards and upwards

Are you on your local Facebook groups? Ours often advertises piles of food at the local church which is free to collect for anyone. Tesco donate it to them.

Gurdwara, not gudwara. Sorry.