Haven’t paid rent in months!

[Uppoopcreek]

I’ve just realised I haven’t paid my rent in around 6 months! I don’t know how this could have happened?
ive lived here around 4 years. All I can think is I set up a standing order a while ago and it didn’t work properly?
now, I have pretty severe MH problems. Awful anxiety and depression(probable ADHD but still waiting for an appointment to start the process). I never check my bank, I’m behind with other bills, too. I’m a bury my head in the sand type of person, but worry constantly about everything, About a month ago I hit rock bottom. Won’t go into details, but it wasn’t great.
I have 3 DC, and I’m on benefits.
Help! What do I do?! Had a text from landlord last night asking me to call him, which is what’s just prompted me to look now. I was asleep when he text.

You can apply to your local authority for a grant to help pay off the arrears. You need to show them evidence, but local authorities have this type of support, now. Get on the phone to them and also make sure you apply for PIP and sickness element on UC.

You can also contact Stepchange - Free debt charity who handle all of your debts for you and help set up a payment plan. They talk to the debtors and make the payments.

Great. Let's advertise that you can just blame your MH or ADHD and you can run up months of arrears and let the tax payer pay them off for you. Why bother charging rent in the first place then? Given that that rent is often paid for by the benefits system in the first place? For people who are not in work, the housing element of UC should ALWAYS be paid directly to the landlord, whether it's private or HA. It would save everyone a fortune in the long run and would encourage LLs to be less reluctant to take tenants who might turn out to be a complete liability.

@TwigletsAndRadishes I'm social minded but there's a limit- if you have the capacity to post on mumsnet you have the capacity to check your bank even if it's once a month- I know like isn't black and white but with kids lives at risk you have to at least know what's been paid/hasnt-

Yes agreed you cannot keep blaming MH or ADHD.
its now common to do this.
however in Scotland the local authorities would not allow direct payment

In Scotland, they do allow direct payments if the benefit claimant is not paying their rent and is at risk of losing their private tenancy. I know because a relative was involved in such a case in Scotland

So is this when they already have rent arrears
and is it a new policy
I was unaware of this

It is when they have rent arrears or are paying random insufficient amounts erratically over a period of time. The default position is they are expected to pay their own rent. But after a certain amount of rent arrears/erratic payments, direct payments are a possibility

I knew this because of a relative's case already but I've looked up a link to Citizens Advice which provides more detailed info
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/scotland/benefits/universal-credit/on-universal-credit/change-how-your-universal-credit-is-paid-in-scotland/?origin=serp_auto

Well it is great that your son's ADHD doesn't impact his ability to manage his finances but as I'm sure you know, ADHD doesn't affect everyone in the same way.

My ADHD for example, very much does mean I struggle to keep track of my budget and I can easily imagine getting into a situation similar to the OPs because of this.

What do you do to organise your budget? You come across as quite articulate so I am guessing you have strategies to help you budget - maybe these could help others?

Well, I'm in a debt management plan with the charity step-change due to the difficulties I did get myself in! That means I make one payment to them and they split it across who I owe money to.

Setting up the plan meant I no longer have any access to credit or overdrafts so I can't get into more debt.

I have set up all my direct debits to come out as close to pay day as possible so what is left over is the amount I have to last the rest of the month. I try to check my account regularly but still find it a struggle to make the link between purchases I make and how much money that will leave me with.

I mean, I can add up but it is like there is this blind spot or gap between the two decisions - almost like my brain can't link the cause and effect of spending / budgeting!!

So, ideally I would consciously think and plan each purchase - no matter how small. The challenge with that is my struggle to focus when making those decisions or remembering what I've spent.

For example, I'll go to the shop and know that I have X amount to spend but then just completely forget or I will make a purchase and think to myself "I must note that down" but again, despite being absolutely committed to doing that i will completely forget again.

Spontaneous purchases are also another pitfall.

It is a work in progress and certainly isn't easy but the stress of getting into such a financial mess previously plus knowing that no matter what my essentials are paid definitely has helped.

Right. Well you have done well getting StepChange involved rather than one of those companies that advertise they'll get creditors to write off your debt, charge you a fortune and half the time put people into an unsuitable debt management plan that goes belly up. Some banks have a notification system that pings you when you make a purchase, and shows you your predicted (direct debit etc) outgoings in next 30 days. Some people are going back to cash to manage their spontaneous spending to feel more able to keep track.

If your ADHD is at a high level which affects managing finances then surely a trusted friend or relative could manage for the person.
its all very well trying to make the person independent however it would stop financial debt.
maybe vouchers could be given for food and rent deduction automatic in OP’s case it would also protect children