Ambulance transport drivers stole all the money I had.

[OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet]

I’ll try to start at the beginning, sorry if a little long.

I’m disabled and bed bound and have very little support, other than my carer briefly visiting a couple of times a day. I have 3 great children, but with work and families they’re not always available, particularly during the daytime.

Therefore, for my multitude of hospital appointments, I am usually taken on a stretcher by a transport ambulance, which has for years worked well. Note that the two staff members provided are not qualified paramedics.

So today I needed an urgent X ray, was collected and taken to local hospital, then brought home. Drivers were happy, chatty, helpful as usual. You very rarely get the same two twice, but they’re all normally great and genuinely seem to care.

When I got home I noticed a £10 note on the side in the kitchen (change from the window cleaner), which I’d forgotten to put in my purse. So I get my handbag, take out my purse, and all the money I had in there was gone. I know how much it was as I checked this morning. I’m on an impossible budget with disability benefits and trying to also pay towards my care bills, so always know exactly what I’ve got on any given day.

So the ambulance drivers have stolen £120 from me, which was meant to last me for the next two weeks. Other than the £10 change from the window cleaner, I now have nothing.

I’m devastated. I don’t understand how they could do this to me?! How the hell am I meant to survive? I can’t stop crying, and am just so fucking angry and feel so stupid for trusting these people.

And to add insult to injury, the police will get back to me “maybe within a few days”.

If any of you lovely MN's have advice, I’d love to hear it.

WHat's happening in your life that you have needed 3 emergency payments in the last 12 months? Sounds like there is a lot more going on.

This.

Yes, I haven't had a choice. By the time rent and utilities paid I have less than £300pm to pay for everything else including food. Plus the council also want almost £200 monthly towards my care bill. That's why this has hit me pm bloody hard.

Have you applied for the emergency fund before?

There must be some the food banks can provide for you to eat surely? Given that was birthday money you wouldn’t have that in your budget?

One has just left uni - no money.
One a med student - no money.
One an apprentice - no money.

No other family or friends

Do you get your special dietary foods on prescription?

So between them, the paramedics have conspired to nick £60 each, knowing there's cctv, there'd be a complaint and evidence so risk getting fired and struck off their register? For £60?!

So you've had 120 stolen from you, you can't use the discretionary fund, your food bank can't cater to your requirements, none of your dc have any money at all (is that because they gave you 120 for your birthday), you have zero ither family and friends and your social worker is just refusing to help at all?

I presume you get ESA or UC with the limited capability for work element, plus housing element or housing benefit and probably full PIP?

I've asked MNHQ to post their "financial difficulties signposting" info.

And if you read what I say about my income, you'll see I have less than fuck all, pm my gift merely allowed me to pay all my bills this month!

I should've know asking for help here I would instead just receive unwarranted assumptions and criticism.

Unfortunately whilst the drivers may be the main suspects you cannot be 100% certain that someone else didn't access your bag.

Try reading all my posts

What help are you looking for?

Some, not all

To be fair, you answered after I posted this question, I apologise for not knowing in advance.

What help do you need from MN?

You need to get the council to reassess you. Normally you would be left with at least £700 before they asked for a single penny towards care.

I know it is little Comfort but this is not quite right.

That's about the size of it.

To be fair, posters are either suggesting things that could help, but every suggestion seems to hit a brick wall. You alluded to the fact that your children worked, and have families, so it would not be unreasonable to ask why on earth they cannot help you. But even they seem unable to help. It all seems a bit..., what other help can posters offer?

It wasn't criticism @OnlyOpenMouthToChangeFeet it was a legitimate question I had which others have also asked. Im also disabled and have a care budget etc.

As a neutral statement, your posts look like you are suggesting MNers give you money, and your title seems very clickbaity. I've asked MNHQ to put their financial advice info up which hopefully will help.

Hello everyone

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon.

When did you get the payments?

They do have a little leeway. If not they can find a charity to refer you to. There are often local churches that run things for people in need.

I just want some ideas, if anyone knows anything I haven't tried? I've been stuck in my bed for 3 years, am on my own the majority of the time. Have zero quality of life, friends all gone, and I can't Valle much more.

I thought at least I may get a little understand, but my overwhelming feeling is noone duet believes me.

Yes, people do have to live like this. We don't all have someone to help. And in a cost of living crisis, maybe one of those drivers was feeling as desperate as me.

But if you don't want to help, or frankly don't believe me, then don't waste your time answering. Because I can't COPD with any more judgment.

I'm not asking for anyone's cash, just a bit of help and understanding.