Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

...to request a food bank voucher.

179 replies

Ashamed2BFeeling · 06/09/2019 04:42

My DW and I are struggling a little this month. We're both contracted to part time hours and take as much overtime as is available.

However, due to an accident at work, I had a couple of weeks off and our pay packet two weeks ago was really underwhelming. Having paid our rent and a massive (late) council tax bill, we didn't have enough money left to do our monthly food shop.

We already owe family money, so borrowing from them isn't an option. We don't have a great credit rating so that's out the window. And we've sold off any old electronics, CDs and DVDs that could bring in a few extra quid.

We've visited a food bank before, but this was a good five or six years ago, when we were both out of work and waiting on Universal Credit. It seems a little hypocritical to be visiting a food bank when we are already in work.

Has anyone ever been in this situation, in work but still too skint to afford food? Any advice gratefully received.

Thanks. :)

OP posts:
Namechangeforthiscancershit · 06/09/2019 07:33

End of

Well that's sorted then. OP you can eat that with a scoop of ice cream and some hundreds and thousands.

Seriously go the food bank. You need to eat and you should not feel guilty.

Have you checked by the way if you can get an Council Tax reduction while your income has fallen? Or would that have come up on Entitled To anyway?

SuperSara · 06/09/2019 07:33

OP, you definitely should make use of the food bank if you need to.

I'm another who donates regularly to our local food bank and I would be upset if someone who's in genuine need felt they shouldn't use it because they weren't sure it was meant for them.

Food banks are absolutely there to help at times like this.

And good luck with getting back into a better place with your finances.

Hahaha88 · 06/09/2019 07:34

@Dipi you are a vile, cold hearted person. I'd like to know how you're getting benefits for being unable to work when you're working (just for free). This sounds like you're defrauding the benefits system, a system that @Ashamed2BFeeling is paying into whilst you are not, yet you think they are bu?? Righto. Well why don't you get a job and cancel your benefits before you come and start berating others who take a hell of a lot less in handouts than you!

@Ashamed2BFeeling please don't hesitate to go to a food bank in the position you're in. Sorry you're struggling right now. I do think you should apply for UC though it might be impacted by the overtime when you do it. Also if you didn't get sick pay for your contracted to hours you should be able to get statutory sick pay from the government

Dipi · 06/09/2019 07:35

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

sunshinefinally · 06/09/2019 07:35

@Dipi what a nasty person you are!!!! OP is NOT BU

OP don't take that nasty piece on you are not BU you are struggling it's ok to ask for help and if asking for help at the food banks this is ok!! I hope things start looking up for you!

stucknoue · 06/09/2019 07:37

@Dipi If you can work in a charity shop, why not a proper shop then if you are being judgemental. My dd is autistic and worked full time with adaptations (currently studying)

Ragwort · 06/09/2019 07:38

Saskia not everyone who volunteers in a charity shop is employable I can assure you. Hmm

OP please use your local Food Bank, it is absolutely there for you, I help at a FB & we actually have more food than clients Blush. Trussel Trust will probably only allow you three visits but hopefully that will help you. Many independent FBs have less strict criteria.

theunrivalledjoysofparenting · 06/09/2019 07:39

I'm disabled and, literally, cannot work
I've been classed as 100% disabled

What does that even mean? You can’t be, if you manage to work...

And I’m paying for your benefits and your dc!

@Dipi, wtf?

Op, use the food bank. That’s what it’s for.

In future, so you have more security, could you or h look for Jobs with FT contracts? All the best.

SinkGirl · 06/09/2019 07:39

Why is it the governments fault?

Because they refuse to clamp down on employers evading their responsibilities by issuing zero hour contracts to workers who work full time, enabling them to avoid sick pay etc.

Because they refuse to enforce a NMW that enables everyone to be able to pay their household bills and feed themselves as a minimum.

Because there’s no support for people in OP’s position so their only option is to seek out a charity.

Mumofazoo · 06/09/2019 07:39

Wow @Dipi aren’t you a pleasant surprise this morning. I have asd so there is no way you can blame that on being so nasty to someone who is going through a rough time. I’m also catholic as well and I’m surprised you can call yourself that with how vile you are being to op. Also if you do what you do volunteering you can definitely get a paid job doing more or less the same.

SaskiaRembrandt · 06/09/2019 07:39

Dipi yes, it is still working. My local Primark is advertising for people to work in the background - it is still a job you could do for money if you chose.

And not just 'twin's but a forced birther too - you've done really well with that MN bingo card.

sunshinefinally · 06/09/2019 07:39

@Dipi you are awful! Wow honestly shocking.... 'steam crappy clothes' if people didn't donate them crappy clothes you wouldn't be volunteering there and wouldn't have a job... NO NEED TO BE O NASTY

Waxonwaxoff0 · 06/09/2019 07:42

Dipi how horrible of you. I'd have thought that somebody who relies on benefits (which I have no issue with having been on them myself) would be a bit more sympathetic to someone else going through hard times. You don't have to worry about where your next payment is coming from, the OP is on a zero hours contract so their hours could change at any time. The OP IS working and yet is struggling to eat this month, what does that tell you about the state of this country?

OP you are not being unreasonable, also I volunteer for a homeless charity and we hand out food parcels to anyone who requests one, might be worth seeing if there is anything like that in your area.

Tigerwhocamefortea · 06/09/2019 07:43

@Dipi it is clearly your manners and attitude that are “100% disabled”! Your personal circumstances are completely irrelevant to the post and posting just to belittle someone else is just cruel.

OP definitely use the food bank. Whether working or not, it is there for people in genuine need which this month you are.

SaskiaRembrandt · 06/09/2019 07:45

Possibly not, Ragwort, but I see no reason why an able bodied ,young man with good mental health can't find gainful employment.

Wildorchidz · 06/09/2019 07:48

Op - ignore the unpleasant poster. Go to the food bank.

transformandriseup · 06/09/2019 07:48

Why is it the governments fault? Too easy to blame it on that than take responsibility for the choices we make as adults.

No one has blamed the government fgs. OP works and puts in overtime, has sold personal items for cash and has prioritised council tax over food. All this has come about because of an accident not because they have just booked a holiday. They have done everything right but some posters just love to look down on others.

There was assistance available over 100 years ago (although hard to get) It’s not a new thing.

Idontwanttotalk · 06/09/2019 07:48

OP, I hope you now feel able to go to a good bank without feeling ashamed. Most people are happy to contribute to someone who is down on their luck. (Forget dipi - clearly their views aren't representative of the masses).

I know you've tried the entitled2 calculator but did you use figures from a good week or a bad week? It's still worth checking with CAB or even DWP to see if, when you don't get much overtime, you may still be entitled to some benefits.

Go on, go get some food and don't be ashamed of being in need.

Onlythelonelywelcome · 06/09/2019 07:49

@Dipi
Why say. My monthly income is 1,500. That's work and benefits.
It’s not work it’s purely benefits. Why do you want to give the impression you are working when you aren’t.

greentheme23 · 06/09/2019 07:50

@Dipi you are the worst kind of citizen. One that thinks they have had it 'toughest' and than no one but them deserve help. You of all people should understand others plight. Almost like the school bully saying I've been bullied so I'm going to bully you!

Asiama · 06/09/2019 07:51

@Ashamed2BFeeling please go to the Foodbank and don't be embarrassed. It is for people exactly like you and as a contributor I would be pleased that it's helping someone like you.

@Dipi your attitude disgusts me. Remember that people like this poor OP are contributing their hard earned money so that you can have your benefits while others struggle with basic necessities like food. If you don't pay taxes and you don't give to a Foodbank then I struggle to see what right you have to treat the OP so appallingly, as it's not costing you anything. I have also reported your posts calling people names.

Rafflesway · 06/09/2019 07:52

Well for someone who apologises for their English Dipi you sure have learned some strong, ahem "articulate" words/phrases.😠
Here's another phrase to add to your list - ODFOD!

Take no notice OP! You go to the foodbank asap. Flowers

Hahaha88 · 06/09/2019 07:52

@Dipi a Catholic eh? Well I think you best go to confession asap. You're hardly living a Christian life if you can't love your neighbours, especially those in need. Shame on you.

feistymumma · 06/09/2019 07:54

@Dipi so because of your situation everyone else should suffer?

transformandriseup · 06/09/2019 07:55

“Why is it the governments fault?

Because they refuse to clamp down on employers evading their responsibilities by issuing zero hour contracts to workers who work full time, enabling them to avoid sick pay etc.

Because they refuse to enforce a NMW that enables everyone to be able to pay their household bills and feed themselves as a minimum.

Because there’s no support for people in OP’s position so their only option is to seek out a charity”

Exactly. But someone will still instist the OP should find £9k for a degree, pull money out of their arse to move away and then get a better paid job.