What to do about this situation?

[Lawstudentmumtoone]

So me and ex co-parent fine and he has paid consistently since we split a few years ago.
He usually pays child maintenance on 23rd of every month, this month he had some issues with his pay (gets paid weekly) so he paid me half 2 weeks ago with the intention of paying the other half the weekend just gone.

It’s nearly been 2 weeks now and I keep having to chase him up and ask him about it. He keeps saying he will sort it but doesn’t seem to ever do it.

I’m now running out of money, I’ve already borrowed some from my family and can’t ask them again, what do I realistically do?

I’ve asked him again tonight and he keeps getting really short with me and says that it annoys him that I keep asking but it’s been nearly 2 weeks now!

@aishahsk

Have you explained you haven't got money for food next week? Could he drop you some food round from his cupboards/freezer until the money situation is sorted.

Yep - told him that I’ve run out of money and didn’t even have the money for school packed lunches this week - said he would sort it earlier on - still haven’t heard from him and he is purposely ignoring me.

He lives too far away - would cost him more in petrol!

Is there a local food bank you can contact on either Facebook or google?

Also re you being disabled / a career - have you got all of the allowances etc you're entitled to? It might be worth a run through of finances to make sure you're not missing out on anything that would help. Perhaps a local church might have a food bank? Or a hardship fund?

Is there anyway you can get in a position where you don't rely on this money. What would you do if he fell out of work and couldn't pay. Are you accessing everything you're entitled to, have you looked at carers allowance if you're caring for a family member. You're going to have to suck it up and maybe use a food bank, no shame in it. That's what it's there for.
Presumably if you don't have any money from him then he doesn't have any money to give you? You can't get hacked off if he's not got it. Don't ruin your amicable relationship with him.. If you didn't have your children's maintenance money, you'd have to stand on your own two feet.

@GermioneHranger

Is there a local food bank you can contact on either Facebook or google?

Also re you being disabled / a career - have you got all of the allowances etc you're entitled to? It might be worth a run through of finances to make sure you're not missing out on anything that would help. Perhaps a local church might have a food bank? Or a hardship fund?

Local food bank is an excellent shout, they should be able to help you.

This seems to be a once off op may be cut him some slack.

Please don't rely on maintenance from your ex to pay bills etc I made that mistake when I was made redundant and was out of work for a long time, ex lost his job over night and I was left with nothing for dd.
Please look at budgeting what income you can rely on and keep the maintenance out of that sum so you don't end up stuck.

@Beancounter1

If his boss can't pay him, I suspect the business will fold and he will be unemployed soon. I suggest you look into universal credit. If you have a mortgage, consider the worst that can happen - having to sell the house and go into rented - face it full on; don't panic or do anything hasty but equally don't hide from the truth. Trying to hide and pretend this is not happening will only get you into deeper trouble and debt.

I agree, it sounds like his job is on shaky ground and you need to make a plan for the worst case scenario of him being unemployed.

If you are a carer are you entitled to free school meals?

I was going to see if you could ask him to feed them next week or they stay with him temporarily. However just seen your update that he lives too far away. But might be worth asking him just to show how serious it is that you cant buy food (if he isn't pestering his boss to sort it out he obviously can afford to eat himself)
For this week, can you see if there is an emergency food bank you can access?
Are you sure you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to eg carers allowance, PIP if that's still around?
Is there anything you can sell?
Are you sure he hasnt been paid and isnt just pulling a fast one (eg is there a new partner on the scene that objects to his maintenance payments?). Its odd his boss hasnt sorted it out after 2 weeks and odd if he is saying he hasnt got any money either that he isnt bothered about sorting it. Is it a small company? A big one would have sorted it by now. It does sound like they may be having cashflow issues and in trouble