To ask for help with finances

[DesperateforRugby]

I am so desperate right now.

I've been off sick lately, and have absolutely no money.

I'm a rugby league fan, and it's the semi final tonight (it kicked off at 7.45) and because I've no money I've been unable to watch it.

It's just not fair. I work hard, I raise my kids and I can't even have this one thing for myself.

I've been off work with depression and physical problems that have limited my mobility. I took a fall which has left me unable to do my job as I damaged my hip.

I don't think wanting ten pounds spare at the end of the month to watch the rugby is too much to ask at all.
I'm not asking for luxuries such as holidays to bloody Bora Bora.

I've never even been abroad. I've never been able to take my children on holiday anywhere because I can't afford it.

No one here is going to give you money to watch rugby op.

I'm sorry that you are in this situation

I think one of the reasons that employers don't pay sick pay is that so many people take advantage of this and take days off when they are not actually sick - as usual the few that abuse it ruin it for everyone else

I totally understand where you are coming from OP. It does seem like a slap in the face, especially when you hardly ever get to treat yourself. What about the final? How far away is that and will you be in a position to see that? Or will it be televised and can you watch it? Or will it maybe be shown in a local pub that you can get to?

I didn’t mean you didn’t have food. I was just making the point that you seem to be worried about the wrong things

CandyLeBonBon

Not once have I asked anyone to give me money.

I want advice on how people manage on SSP. It's a ridiculously low amount of money.

Fair enough op. That wasn't how your posts came across tbh

MrsGrindah

If I have food, gas, electric, medicine, clothes and games for the children already how on earth am I worried about the wrong things?

Why is everyone focusing on the fact that the op’s ‘luxury’ is to watch a rugby match? Would you all be jumping down her throat if she was missing a bottle of wine / haircut / nice bubble bath?

OP - It’s not a lot to ask for to be able to have two hours to yourself to enjoy something you love. it’s crap that you haven’t be able to have that treat.

I’m sure some posters would have some advice if you were able to be a little more specific about the advice you needed.

Take care

Your post said you had no money so I didn’t understand why not being able to watch rugby was your first concern that’s all. I appreciate you feel fed up about the fact that you can’t have enjoyable things but that’s not how your first post came across

I hear your distress OP. I cannot imagine what it is like to support 3 children on a minimum wage.
A lot of jobs have no sick pay and I feel that those hard won employment benefits have been slowly worn away by employers who exploit. Sometimes I feel we have gone back to Victorian times.
In your situation you may not be able to watch on TV but could you listen on radio. Can you replace the game with another treat? - a cup tea and a hot bath and enjoy time by yourself , go to the libarary and get a book? Some yoga at home ( try Yoga With Adrianne on you tube)
Best wishes 💐

Thank you UrbanSunday

The only advice I want is how people survive on SSP.
It's such a low amount of money. I understand it's to deter people from taking the piss and being off sick when they're not, but how is anyone supposed to survive on it?

I get what you are saying, it is shit to work hard, but not be able to afford an occasional modest treat.

The rugby is being broadcast on the radio, so if you can't see it, you can at least listen.

I am listening (thanks to the PPs who mentioned radio)
But just to make my night worse my team is losing!

You're not asking for advice though you're just venting. Which you're perfectly entitled to do, because it sounds really shit, but people are going to be confused if you announce you would like advice on finances but then just rant about how hard your life is instead of explaining where you need advice.

It's such a low amount of money. I understand it's to deter people from taking the piss and being off sick when they're not

It's low to punish people for being sick and disabled, and because as a society we don't value human life unless that life is used to provide paid work.

I have explained. I want to know how I'm expected to live off SSP?
What, if anything, can I do to improve my current situation (without changing jobs because I actually enjoy my job, just not the pay ) and how do I get by on 600 for a month?
But no one seems willing to answer me so I'll just vent 🤷

Could you visit a food bank to free up money? Here in the US they go by household income so if your income drops below a threshold one month due to sick days, you can get food free or for a huge discount. They don’t care if this mean something you can then spend twenty bucks to watch a pay per view sporting event. I would not either...I think it’s nasty victorian moralism to expect poor struggling people to never buy entertainment or the odd treat in order to “deserve” help.

doctor I'd have no idea how to even go about getting referred to a food bank.
There's no advice here that I can find anyway. maybe I'm not looking hard enough, but I just wouldn't know how to get referred.

You need to claim universal credit and ask for an advance for the waiting period. You repay the advance over 12 or 6 months.

Use betteroffcalculator.co.uk to do the sums.

You can apply for all or part of your advance. Take as little as possible as it keeps your repayments low. If you take partial amount and you need more in the first assessment period (only) then you can get a further advance.

You are struggling as you aren't receiving enough income as it sounds like you are entitled to housing costs help which you aren't getting.

Use the CAB help to claim free UC service. Don't fear it.

Not sure what you mean by waiting time for UC? Look on the website entitled to.

fire I wasn't aware you could apply for an advance? No one has told me this.

Then you simply have researched universal credit at all. It's all there online and tbh people need to stop believing the media fear about UC. I have assisted many people to transition to UC. It can and does work as long as you educate yourself on how it works.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/3680934-september-earn-10-a-day-threadThe OP asked twice for advice, I didn’t know the answer i’m Sorry, but I would ring CAB next week and have a sort outbover the weekend and check there’s nothing shives in a cupboard that could generate a bit if cash.

Also have a read of the earn £10 a day thread in the money section. I hope things improve for you soon.

www.understandinguniversalcredit.gov.uk/