Genuinely not sure of the correct course of action here.
I have a friend, let's call him Tom. Tom has fallen on hard times, both personally and financially. During lockdown 1, he was on furlough, and I helped him out with some extra cash. I was working at the time, so it was no bother.
He went back to work in the summer and then suddenly quit his job. I encouraged him at the time to apply for UC, but he was very hesitant. Eventually he decided to apply, but by that time was in rent arrears. I had left y job by that stage, and said I couldn't help him out as I was no longer earning.
In October, I got a text late one evening to say he would have to move into his car the next day if I couldn't lend him the money. He assured me that he would pay me back on x date when he received his payment as he was expecting back pay. Reluctantly, I sent him the money straight away, only because he said he would pay me back in a few weeks.
X day comes and goes. Radio silence. So I left it a week and messages asking fo he could send it to me. He said he was really sorry, that the back pay never materialised and he'd been trying to find the money from other friends to pay me back.
I was annoyed, but it wasn't overly critical at that point. I explained that I had divided my money into quarters to afford my time off, so would really need it by the start of March as that's when my next quarter fell.
I messaged him today asking if he was still on course to pay me back at the end of the month. He said he couldn't as he had money coming to him in April. He said he told me that at the time. He did not. Since that one text, I have heard nothing.
I am truly torn as to whether I should push the issue. I don't know if I should, or just leave it and hope it comes in April.
Open to any suggestions!