To want to help this homeless woman and at the same time don't know if she's saying the truth?

[HappyHippie]

I was speaking to a homeless woman that sells the Big Issue. I've already bought the same magazine from her twice, but today she asked me if i could buy milk for her 8 month old baby. I wrote her down the address of the nearest Citizen Advice Bureau, but she said she doesn't know how to read.

If it was true, is there anywhere she can get help for her and her baby? She says she doesn't have documents (I'm assuming she doesn't have the right to stay in the UK).

So yeah i guess this is not a typical AIBU post, but since this forum is so active I'd thought I'd post it here. Please help me to help her.

There are rules about what big issue sellers are allowed to do, and begging isn't one of them.

I think that you have been told a fib. People would be falling over themselves to help someone in this situation, and if she is selling the big issue she isn't totally isolated.

could couldn't afford

If she is a genuine BI seller then she would have the documents needed to help her claim Healthy Start Vouchers for the baby milk.

They would be working with her with this kind of thing too. To be a vendor she'd need to be registered as Homeless with the council and with a young child she would probably have a social worker and be placed in a hostel or b&b type accommodation.

She may just be trying it on. Honestly, if she needs more help then there are people to help her.

I agree you should contact the local BI office and pass on her details. Tell them you are concerned she is not accessing all the help she needs.

I would also assume that the people at the Big Issue office help their vendors with things like this.

I've travelled a fair bit in Asia and the baby milk scam is well known.

If she needs help like that, then its more than you can do to help her love. And I say that gently because I know you obviously want to do her good.

But you buying her some baby milk (and if you DO decide to do this, please buy the ready made cartons, as if she can't read, she won't know how to make them safely) is not going to fix all her problems, and will be a short term help. She needs more than that.

Get her vendor number and contact TBI if you are worried about the well being of a child.

For what its worth, i really hope she's lying :(

If she's a genuine Big Issue seller the BI Foundation should be able to pass her on to social services etc.
But you don't have to be actually living on the streets to be a BI vendor - they have a broad definition of homelessness and don't ban you once you've found a home.

I've twice had BI sellers beg money from me. I've stopped buying the magazine for that reason. :(

Oh look, theinets has rocked up!

theinets Thats a fucking disgusting comment to make I hope you never find yourself in this woman's position.

The people at BI don't just send people out with loads of their mags to flog. For starters you have to proof in some way that you are eligible to flog the mags. If in homeless unit, details of this, plus you have to provide details of your ID, and if necessary work visa details. They like anyone else are fined if they employ illegals.
The people at BI also offer a lot of advice and support and where necessary referrals to various agencies, including financial advice and will even help fill in various forms for benefits, housing etc.
I personally think that she is trying to pull a fast one, and wonder if she was that destitute why wouldn't her sister help her with some formula. Plus at 8 months I would wonder why she specifically said formula and not food, as most babies at this age are weaning are they not?

There was a thread like this last year, BI seller asking for milk/nappies.

It's just a con. I have no sympathy for these parasitical vagrants who stop at nothing to part you from your cash.

I'd appreciate if anyone could post a link to that thread - am on the phone, if not, I will look for it when I get home. Thanks for everyone trying to help. Yes I think that telling her to contact the BI and follow their advice is the best thing to do. I will also advise her to stop begging :( It's a shame, whether it's true or not I don't think her situation will be very good.

The majority of BI sellers are 'vulnerably housed' ex-homeless usually, but still living in insecure accomodation. You have to do what your heart feels but I would (having worked with the homeless and the BI), find out where the BI office is your town, or the homeless day centre/night shelter, discuss it with them and find out what her situation is. If she is conning people, her badge will be removed, if not, then help will be found, although she will get a severe telling off for asking for money.

I would donate something to a homeless charity or to the Big Issue.

here you go

I would get her vendor number as others have said and just explain that you are concerned about her situation with the baby. I am sure they will already be well aware, hence her selling the BI. If she is stopping with a pregnant family member, it could be that they are trying to build up supplies for another baby.

It's a well known scam OP and I'm afraid that she is taking advantage of your kindness - next time tell her that you will talk to the BI office to see if they can access some additional support for her.

If she has no legal right to be in the country, she will still be entitled to help to feed and house her child.
Please do contact your local Big Issue office and say you're concerned about one of their sellers (you don't have to tell them she's effectively broken their rules on begging, but tbh I'm sure this happens a lot). I'm sure they will be able to help you, either by telling you where she should go, or by reassuring you that all their sellers get info about what they're entitled to.
In the meantime, I would be tempted to buy her a tin of formula.