(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.

*sorry, not sport!!

If you live where I think you do and you can get to citizens advice centre in the morning, t looks like your local food bank is open tomorrow afternoon and does a 3 day emergency pack.

I just wanted to say hi OP
We are in a similar situation to you.
Have downloaded those 2 apps (thanks to whoever gave links)
We are in the NW, but not near the sea.
But we have decided to have a walk by the sea tomorrow. Hopeful there wont be many people around, as dd has the scabbed over spots from chicken pox
I was given a food bank voucher a while ago. Similar circumstances. Had to take dd in with me. The staff were lovely to us both
They gave us drinks and biscuits while they helped us fill in a likes/dislikes/needs form.
And helped us carry heavy bags of tins to the car.
They even gave dd some chocolate.
You could even think of it as a "food loan".
Use a couple of days worth of food from them now. And donate in the future, when you are back on your feet. They also appreciate carrier bags!

Good luck, OP. You sound like a lovely person who is doing their best. Have you any family support at all?

Sorry to hear this OP, hope things pick up for you asap. A local town nearby has a scheme in which a charity picks up fresh foods about to go out of date from the local supermarkets and distributes it from a town centre shop. It's free to all, you don't have to 'qualify', so no explanations required. I urge everyone to press for similar schemes in your own town. This is food that would otherwise go to waste. Yes, people who don't need it may take advantage of it but it will help many. Hard times. Good luck OP.

Thankyou guys, I've had a kind reply from a food bank close by and going to pop over on my lunch break today and pick up a 3 day tiding over parcel :)
I do have my sister close by but she has new born twins so there's no way I would impose on her, I wish I could be taking care of her to be honest.

Mynamehasbeentaken - I'm sorry you are in such similar circumstances, a food loan is a really good way to think about it. I definitely want to pay it all back and more once I'm back on my feet.
I never expected to be in this situation in all honesty, 12 months ago I never gave any thought really to meal planning and never had that horrible "Oh fuck" stomach sink when I checked my bank balance. Certainly not rich by any standard but another adult income makes such an enormous difference.
I've seen a job advertised today that would suit my qualifications etc perfectly. So that's exciting, going to crack on with the application once dd is in bed tonight and keep my fingers crossed for an interview. Zero hour contracts seem to be a very common denominator amongst people who end up using food banks, it's one of the first questions I was asked by the church lady.
So excited to say goodbye to 2019 and get 2020 under way :)

Great news. Have a good evening

It sounds like things could be looking up for you now.
That's good to hear.

Sorry, I’m new here and put this on the wrong thread

I've given this advice before as it has really helped me when I've been in your situation.

Have you got any unused gift cards floating around from previous birthdays or Christmas? If you chuck them on eBay for 10% lower than their face value you will usually get your hand bitten off for them. I had a John Lewis voucher for £50 that I wasn't going to use, put it on eBay for £40 and it was sold in seconds. That was enough to feed the family well and pay for some heat!

@ZoJo44, just bobbing on here to let you know that we've withdrawn your post and will mail you now to explain how to start your own thread.

And don't worry at all - it's a common mistake with new joiners and very easily done.

Hi op, I don’t know if it’s been mentioned yet because I haven’t got time to RTFT, if your child gets free school dinners you may be eligible for a warm home discount, you can apply between October and the end of March, it’s £150 of free gas or electricity, I believe you can split it 50/50 between the 2, as soon as you are approved it’s credited to your pre payment meter.
Hope things get better for you soon. I’ve been there, it’s tough.

www.edfenergy.com/for-home/help-centre/faq/what%E2%80%99s-warm-home-discount

"The Warm Home Discount is a government scheme that gives extra help to people struggling with their energy bills. It’s regulated by Ofgem and if you’re eligible you’ll get a one-off annual rebate to help with your energy bill. For 2019/20 the rebate is £140 (including VAT).
Who’s eligible?

You’ll qualify for the rebate automatically if on 7 July 2019 you were getting the Guaranteed Credit element of Pension Credit (with or without Savings Credit).

If this doesn’t apply to you, you might still be eligible for our Warm Home Discount – Support Plus scheme, depending on if you’re getting certain benefits. Find out more about the scheme."

OP how are you doing now. You've been on my mind

So glad to hear of your update op. Wishing you all the very best & good luck for the new year.

www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/careers/cv-templates

www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue#

Also check out the mumsnet job board.