Having such a bad day :( ...I just need a hug!

[Wilkiemini]

I arrived at work this morning (I do love my job) and received an email from the company secretary saying we are all being paid early (tomorrow) as he is going on holiday, so everyone was really happy 😃 but me!

OH left us (myself and 2 children) last year I have been struggling with the debt he left us in and to pay everything by myself but I’ve muddled through I work 30 hours per week.

I get help as I cannot pay everything on my wage, my rent alone is £1212 so I claim the dreaded Universal Credit (and yes it really is as bad as the horror stories you may have read!)

Anyhow as it turns out to cut a long story short by paying me early my company are unwittingly going to screw up the UC payment as UC will think I have been paid twice in an assessment period not once and I will not get any help this month (actually in my case three months running now because this happened last month but that’s another story!)

Basically I owe rent because this happened last month as well and I’m terrified we’ll get evicted....I sat at work this morning in floods of tears because I don’t know how I’m going to get through another month with absolutely no money :( I also have an MOT due on my car and two lots of school uniforms to buy :(

To make things worse UC will cap the next payment so when I do get the help next month I will end up losing over £750 over two months just because of the dates :(

I spoke to the company secretary last month about how this adversely effects me but he said he cannot change the pay dates, yet he just done so for his own benefit?

My direct boss is very understanding and he was fuming on my behalf 😤 I literally had a mini emotional break down at work which has shocked everyone because I’m the strong one, I tried to pull myself together and get on with my job but i was just sat there with tears streaming down my face through worry :(

In the end I grabbed my bag and told a colleague to tell my boss that I was going home as I couldn’t work in such a state :(

I’m usually such a tough cookie 🍪 I can and have coped with so much in the last couple of years I’m proud of how I’ve got this far but today it just seems like I’m fighting a losing battle and what’s the point in fighting anymore :(

Show me some love please? Don’t reply with mean comments, I just need to know that somebody somewhere gives a shit😢

Wait, if you were paid early last month, could it be that this wage is the only one in your assessment period?

Thank you 🙏 🙏 🙏

I thought I was done crying for today (I’m not a cryer funnily enough that’s what freaked everyone out this morning!) clearly not though as your comments are all so lovely it has set me off again!

I’m very resilient after a down day today I will brush myself off and go back to work to do what needs to be done, I have contacted my MP I didn’t get a response, CA were useless!, UC staff some are helpful but their hands are tied as the system is so inflexible it doesn’t recognise when causing adversity :(
I do however have good health, wonderful children and a cute ass dog 🐶 who has not left my side today... so there is still a lot to be thankful for even on the really crappy bad days :)

Thanks for the love 💕 I really appreciate it xxx

So sorry you're going through this. Be proud of yourself for for reaching out and fir seeing this as objectively as you can. You are not crushed but very sad about the circumstances that have been placed upon you. That's strength. Not sure if your area does Advice on Prescription? It's where GPs can 'prescribe' very quick access to a CAB. Sending you very warm hugs and lots of admiration for how you're handling this. I second the MP suggestion too for both parts of your difficulties, there will be an email address on their website.

Ergh the feeling of financial worry is awful, i can feel it for you as I've been there. I am also on UC and yes they are truly shit, they sound like untrained school leavers on the phone who give vague answers when you ask them anything and they just tell you what you want to hear to get you off the phone, i went crazy at them last month as once again they didnt verify my childcare payment. I know the last thing you want is more debt but could you not get one of their loans to tied you over this month and pay it back slowly. I know that is not what you want! One day you will be out of this situation, it won't last forever and you will look back on it from a better place. If it is not benefiting you financially then don't do 30hours! Do the minimum you need to do to get more help from UC, I know people won't like that but you have to be smart. Sending love

So sorry to hear this OP for you and big unmumsnetty hugs 🤗. I'd do as another poster suggested and ask for payment by cheque not automatic payment it could be a short term answer? Xxx

Are you sure you’ll be affected this month if your wages were also reported/paid early last month?

You poor thing. Would getting it in writing from your boss & payroll help at all? Benefits peeps love, love, love paper 'proof' . Have a cup of tea & try & chill. Failing that, CAB are great. I had same when housing benefit decided the letter with 'we are your new managing agent' wasn't proof enough & they wanted a copy of the new agency's bank statement & a separate letter from the landlord 'to prove they're not fraudulent before we pay them your rent' .

Oh op

I wish I could give some useful advice but I know nothing. Just wanted to give you a massive hug. At least your boss sounds lovely. I'm so sorry you're going through this