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Original poster

How do I survive when the £80 stops...

157 replies

barryclarry · 23/09/2021 08:15

Hi In February I had to make a UC claim as I had to leave my full time job due to my deteriorating mental health.
I have no kids and I live alone.
I have been providing fit notes to the job centre but still haven't had a medical.

During the 5 week wait I had to take out a advance.
They are taking £65 from my money a month to pay this off.
My payment next month will be £553
£330 is my rent
£60 is my gas /electric
£25 is my broadband
£40 other debts including my water rates
That is £455
I will have £98 to last the month for food and anything else.
(Sorry if my calculations are slightly out )

I'm panicking.
I don't know how I'm going to manage tbh
Is anyone else gonna struggle ?

OP posts:
BlueberrySugar · 23/09/2021 15:15

@Plumtree391

I feel sorry for you op but if you post about your meagre finances on here, you'll be making people who are better off feel awkward and that really isn't fair.

At least you only have yourself to feed on £98 per month. That's about £24 a week, roughly £3.50 a day. If you are careful, you will manage on that. Buy some cheese, tomatoes and baking potatoes.

Good luck and - be discreet; it's not cool to flaunt your poverty.

Ugh, you're vile.
Plumtree391 · 23/09/2021 15:16

There is sometimes a degree of competitive poverty and resentment of those who are well off. Neither are attractive. That's all I'm saying.

Food bank donation is good. If you don't have a food bank near to you, you can donate some money. The Trussell Trust is a fine organisation but there are others.

Someone above suggested a water meter and that is a good idea too.

PandorasMailbox · 23/09/2021 15:24

[quote MatildaIThink]@PandorasMailbox
Are you on a water meter or standing charge? If doubled I would suspect a meter, but worth checking why, eg. had they been under billing and did an actual read or some other reason.

If you are on a standing charge then you can use the link below to estimate if you would be better off on a meter or not.
www.ccwater.org.uk/watermetercalculator/[/quote]
I don't have a meter and they can't fit one due to me living in a conversion. It would have to be installed in my downstairs neighbour's flat. I've contacted the water company several times and nobody has got back to me.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Benefits
Sunday10 · 23/09/2021 15:26

Have not read full thread, so sorry if repeating, but please contact Citizens Advice. They can check that you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to, and help you apply for help with water rates, and any local grants. I used to work for them, and it is amazing what help they can provide.

theseoldbone · 23/09/2021 15:26

@Plumtree391 I don't think OP was trying to be attractive. I think they're a desperate person living in poverty and looking for support. I hope your awful post hasn't dissuaded them, or others, from reaching out on here.

MyDcAreMarvel · 23/09/2021 15:30

@PandorasMailbox if they can’t fit a meter they have to put you on a fixed rate equivalent to the estimated water costs if you had a meter. I would keep trying to contact them.

Plumtree391 · 23/09/2021 15:34

[quote theseoldbone]@Plumtree391 I don't think OP was trying to be attractive. I think they're a desperate person living in poverty and looking for support. I hope your awful post hasn't dissuaded them, or others, from reaching out on here. [/quote]
You're right, she wasn't. I was moved to say that after reading and posting on a totally opposite thread in which people were showing resentment towards someone with a nice pot of dosh.

No offence, op, just irony. I wish you well.

I had no idea UC was such crap, it's appalling!

emuloc · 23/09/2021 15:36

@theseoldbone

Or stop politicians giving contracts to their mates at non competitive rates

MPs ludicrous expenses?

Subsidised lunches?

There's money leaking out all over the place and they have us believing the only way the poor can be supported is if taxes rise so we all turn on each other and say oh no. We don't want that

This. Why are the politicians still able to cream the fat of the land in plain sight. At the same time, the poorest of society receive less and less. What is going on? Why is this being tolerated?
IfImLyingImDying · 23/09/2021 16:16

@Plumtree391

I feel sorry for you op but if you post about your meagre finances on here, you'll be making people who are better off feel awkward and that really isn't fair.

At least you only have yourself to feed on £98 per month. That's about £24 a week, roughly £3.50 a day. If you are careful, you will manage on that. Buy some cheese, tomatoes and baking potatoes.

Good luck and - be discreet; it's not cool to flaunt your poverty.

Oh fucking boohoo. Is that you Boris Johnson? Easy to feel awkward when you’re not wondering where your next meal is coming from isn’t it.
CiaoForNiao · 23/09/2021 16:35

@Mombie2021

I would get chasing them up for the medical, that’s an appalling wait!

I applied for UC and LCWRA in June after suspending my degree due to my own health and my DDs health, and I’m still waiting, but to be waiting since February is a fucking joke, especially when general UC is so low and you are ill.

I've been waiting over a year! Apparently I was turned down and appealed... only that didn't happen Confused
Guacamole001 · 23/09/2021 16:35

If possible visit your local large supermarkets when they do the big discounts for example my local Asda has a section of ultra reduced items at 730pm each evening. Not been myself as I dont need to but the staff can tell you what time they do the knockdown prices each day. HTH.

LouLou789 · 23/09/2021 16:55

Approach your energy company too. All of the major ones seem to have schemes for people with lower incomes, and they never publicise them. Water companies only seem to help if you are behind on payments. Can you get cheaper broadband?
Check out local food help schemes as there are often community initiative as well as official food banks. Look at these people, they have lots of contacts around the country : twitter.com/rosecommunitygp?s=21

I am so sorry you have this to worry about in addition to your health problems

Plumtree391 · 23/09/2021 17:18

IfImLyingImDying, I know. Brew Cake.

Original poster
barryclarry · 23/09/2021 17:27

My thread was never intended to make anyone uncomfortable nor was it a "look how poor I am"
Up until the beginning of the year I had a comfortable life with a decent paid job.

OP posts:
theseoldbone · 23/09/2021 17:42

@barryclarry

My thread was never intended to make anyone uncomfortable nor was it a "look how poor I am" Up until the beginning of the year I had a comfortable life with a decent paid job.
Pay no attention love
Peppaismyrolemodel · 23/09/2021 18:07

@barryclarry

My thread was never intended to make anyone uncomfortable nor was it a "look how poor I am" Up until the beginning of the year I had a comfortable life with a decent paid job.
You have no reason to explain yourself! No one here thinks badly of you- only ‘plum’
Peppaismyrolemodel · 23/09/2021 18:09

If you know anyone with an allotment there is a glut of potatoes where we are too! 💪

theseoldbone · 23/09/2021 18:18

The other thing is contacting the local Sikh temples. They often provide food for the community. Worth a look

Em308 · 23/09/2021 18:43

.

Plumtree391 · 23/09/2021 18:44

Don't take any notice of me, BarryClary, I was imitating another thread.

Larryyourwaiter · 23/09/2021 18:56

I came on to say look at what food initiatives you have locally. There’s a whole variety near me now that I see on FB. You shouldn’t be ashamed to use food banks. Your priority is paying off the debt and hopefully getting ahead a bit and that’s what they are there for.
Do you live near family, even they can’t support you can they feed you once a week?

Larryyourwaiter · 23/09/2021 19:02

In fact my local church has just put up a post telling people to come in to take some food and have a hot meal. I know they do bacon butties a few mornings a week and offer advice where to go and get help.
I used to go baby group there and they were always trying to get us to take the leftover baked products they got from Sainsbury’s as they had so much.

SmileyClare · 23/09/2021 19:48

It's hard not to lose hope and get very down in your situation Op.

I often see food banks suggested on these sorts of threads. The way universal credit is set up is forcing people to food banks, it's shocking. Food banks are set up to help people in financial crisis, they are never going to be a long term solution for people who have no way out of their situation for the foreseeable future.

For example, in my area you need a voucher to access the food bank to receive one week of food.. That voucher has to be issued by a gp (yes doctors are prescribing food!) , a social worker or the police.
Only three vouchers are allowed to be issued in a six month period. Add in the humiliation of having to ask for food at a local church or something.

I've resorted to buying huge sacks of oats and filling up on those in the morning so I don't need to eat during the day. It's a cheap way to eat but probably not particularly healthy! Most people would rather resort to these measures than "flaunt their poverty" as someone suggested upthread. What on earth?!

My husband has been left unable to walk and smashed both arms in an accident and we've had to go on Universal Credit. It's opened my eyes to how badly treated people unable to work due to illness/disability are.
It takes almost a year to have illness or disability claims processed and it usually goes to appeal without good reason.

The system is broken and I'm finding it hard to keep going and not feel bitter. So sorry you're struggling op, you're not alone Flowers

butterpuffed · 23/09/2021 20:11

OP, that £65 a month repayment doesn't sound right .Give them a call, you should be able to request up to 24 months to pay it off.

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