To ask what you would do if you has absolutely no money but

[ashamedmum007]

Needed some desperately?

I have to move in the next two weeks. I have virtually no furniture, no sofas or beds. What I do have probably won't survive a move. I have no white goods as they were included in my current rental. I have no car currently as I could afford to keep it on the road so cantmove myself. Working more to earn more isn't doable. I have 3 kids I'm solely responsible for. No financial help from there father just £1000s of unpaid debt via cms ill never see. I have nothing of value worth selling. I can't get credit due to the ex-husband. I have seeked help through charities and been declined. I can't get an advance from UC as I've earned more than £2600 in the past 6 months. I don't have family prepared or able to help. Nor any friends who would be in a position to help. I've scoured Facebook market place, neighbourhoods and Freecycle etc for furniture but always get let down. 3 times I've found sofas waited in for them to be delivered only to be ghosted and them not show. No cooker. No washing machine. No fridge. No beds. No sofas. Not even curtains or lampshades.

What do I do next?

Also speak to your children's school, they will often have the details of organisations that can help

I would approach my employer and ask for an advance - is that an option?

What area are you in?

I know you've said you're checking FB pages etc but have you posted any "Wanted" ads? On freecycle, i always check those before placing an ad in case there's someone already asking for stuff, and sometimes it prompts me that I have something to get rid of I hadn't thought about. I'm nowhere near you so can't be of practical help but I wish you all the best.

If you get housing costs element of UC or housing benefit (even if only covering a small part of your rent) then yes you can apply for discretionary Housing payment.

In short term get air beds, use a laundrette, cook using a microwave/kettle.

Ok who ever reported me I get it. But I'm not looking for handouts. I wouldn't take them anyway. I was looking for practical advice on how I could get money fast as every idea I've had has been a dead end.

I'll try churches -not that I know any. Thanks to those who suggested it. But a lot of the others I've tried as it's been a few weeks since I got the house and tried every route I could possibly think of.

I'm holding on to the fact it's secure, and that we can make it a home. But at the minute it feels like I'm uprooting my kids into an empty house, not they deserve.

Ah, I note the MNHQ guide also links to turn2us ☺️ it's definitely worth a look . I am trustee of a charity that often gives away grants for to set people up in a new home.
That said, they often do find they can pick up a fair bit on Facebook Freecycle sites etc too

In that case, speak to your HA.They will have a social fund / tenant aid type thing and also some connections with local giving places (eg our HA works with the Greggs Foundation who will donate vouchers for white goods/beds/winter coats etc).

Your HA may also di a Furniture Pack which has a small monthly cost they just bolt onto your rent.

How to Apply for a White Goods Grant? (dontdisappoint.me.uk)

Here;s what i found after a quick google search because I knew that you could apply to some energy companies for white goods under certain circumstances. Hope some of it is useful and you get yourself sorted. If not, try your local Citizen's Advice. they are brilliant and will also be able to help you out with any debt trouble you might be in and also make sure you are claiming everything that you are entitled to

Wrekin Revive have shops in Shrewsbury and Oswestry and they provide low cost furniture and white goods, they deliver too. They have a FB site with contact details.

If u r claiming uc u can apply to your local authority for a discretionary housing payment for help with moving costs. Not sure where u are but if u contact ur local authority there might be help for white goods, essential items such as beds etc. I work for a local authority and I know we offer help with moving costs, white goods etc but u must apply. This is totally separate to UC but for the dhp u must qualify for housing element of UC. Also not sure if u get help for housing costs through uc at the moment but if u report any changes that increases ur entitlement to uc u may qualify for a change of circumstances advance once change reported.

We bought our first washing machine from a British Heart Foundation furniture shop for £30. They have branches nationwide. Start with the things that you need straight away: fridge, washing machine, beds.

When I fled my abusive ex I literally had the (work) clothes on my back. I slept on a mattress from B&M on a concrete floor in a ground floor flat with £5 ikea temp blinds up. Is anyone giving away a mattress?

This is obviously spending money but maybe worth knowing about for future https://www.johnpyeauctions.co.uk

you can pick up large items and have them delivered.

https://www.stpaulscentre.org.uk/furniture

If you can get enough money to hire a van for a day/weekend...

That is a better spend of a small amount of money, it will let you scour free ads and so on and you'll be able to pick stuff up almost immediately (waiting for delivery or having to organise collection later on is why you're likely to miss out on stuff).

Look for charity furniture warehouses too, you can pick up big stuff for very little - our 4 seater Sofology leather sofa was 30 quid a few years back, simply because it was too big for most people to collect or get in their houses.

It does mean you'll need to take whats going the day you have the van, but better that really, in the short term. Then you can save and replace later on.

https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/cost-of-living-help/what-help-can-i-claim-from-the-council/

Have a look at this if you're under Shropshire council

Have you tried local churches? I know one in my hometown can offer furniture (I think beds) to people who need it. There might be something similar near you? I don’t think you need to go to the church just be a local.

Try joining olio and put in a request for the things you need. You might get lucky and find someone who will deliver locally.

I see a lot of posts on local FB pages asking for things from people strugggling & there’s always a good response. I would try this.

Feel for you, it must be awful.

We have some charity shops that stock furniture. Could you call your local childrens centre. They will be able to help or have contacts that will.

What about wanted posters in shops?

Have you or your ex partner ever been in the armed services? If so then you would be eligible to apply for a grant from the army benevolent fund.

Look up swapshop sites on FB, there are often people willing to swap old furniture for a few treats or a bottle of wine. We also get people asking for particular items on our local one. Worth researching, but they usually work best in smaller towns so check out your most local areas.