Single dad struggling with benefits, baby milk and where to get help

[MyLivelySquid]

I’ve recently became a single dad and as much as I hate to admit it I’m struggling, my son is 2 months old and I feel like I’m failing him. All my benefits have messed up due to going on to a single claim, does anyone know how to get help as I’m low on baby milk and I’ve no food in the house, I don’t care about me eating or not it’s my son that’s main priority! I went to the shops only to see if I could hide anything in his pram but I just couldn’t bring myself to potentially get into trouble and I’m terrified to ring social services in case they take my son, any advice is greatly appreciated

If you are struggling for food check to see if you have any Sikh temples near you, I believe they all provide daily veggie meals for free as part of their religious practices and it's usually pretty good.

Can she not send money for formula surely she won't see her son starve?

Reach out on local marketplace groups, it's uplifting to see the amount people help and care. Xx

Good for you and well done for looking for support. I hope something someone has suggested helps you.

You have made some huge assumptions here

Bad parents don’t contact social services themselves.

Hope you have managed to get sorted for today. But definitely reach out to social services first thing tomorrow morning. They do not remove children from parents asking for help.

No… I don’t think you’ve read all of my comments.
I said he could set up a GoFundMe as people can be very generous.
In the example of the couple I knew who were heroin users, people didn’t want to donate money but they did buy the formula/nappies/clothes instead.

Most people will which is why his local Facebook group is best bet while sorting out benefits and healthy start vouchers.

Go fund me is stupid he just needs some milk until benefits and healthy start vouchers are sorted most people will buy a tub of milk for a baby if its put on local Facebook group.

I often see on the parenting pages on Facebook people offering a ton of formula their baby didn’t get on with. It’s definitely worth putting a post on the local groups asking if anyone has anything to spare.

Is there a local Facebook group for where you live? Where I live, someone would only need to post a message asking for help to be inundated with support. Hope you get sorted ok.

Yes ask on Facebook or the Nextdoor app and you will get local people helping you.

Get in touch with your local Citizens Advice. They’ll help sort your payments and hopefully get you a crisis grant and food bank voucher (including baby milk).

You got this. You aren’t failing your son, the system is failing you having the support you need to give him the best start.

Where do you live? Some might have more local advice.

Hang in there Dad. Most important job in world parenting and your DS has a father who loves him. It’s hard. Normal to think you’re failing but you’ve stepped up and got this. 💙 🫶🏻

It’s really almost unbelievable isn’t it…

Hello 👋
Hope you & baby are OK? I'm in Wales, if you're close by I will drop off some formula for you ❤️