Covid poverty

[Justanotherquestioner]

I'm devastated. I applied for the £500 covid payment. Self employed. My 3 and 4 year old had covid. Dh was bedridden with covid for 5 days. I worked one of those days but then needed to look after the children. I've just been rejected for the covid payment. I'm devastated. I now don't have money for groceries this week until I get my tax credits on Thursday. It's crazy. They said dh was home so I should have worked. He was the most poorly I've seen him

Well done for sorting out food. It sounds like it might be an idea for someone to take on some non self employed work if that's at all possible? A bit of guaranteed income. But I appreciate that's not always as easy as it sounds.

Do you have a social supermarket near you OP? We have some in wear Yorkshire that are pay as you feel. Or try Indian/Asian supermarkets for bulk bags of rice/lentils etc to see you through. I find people in local Facebook groups are often ready and willing to help where they can. Are you able to get a food bank referral through a health visitor or school?

I'm sorry it has come to this for you.

Does anybody know- im worried about a food bank referral as my eldest boy is coeliac. Is that something that would be a huge issue?

Student loans come from student finance. Not the University.

Your social worker will make a note.

It’s mainly tins etc from the Foodbank

Btw self employed people also pay tax. There’s several comments about tax payers having to foot the bill as though they’re a different group of people. You earn enough, you pay tax.

The student loan company are waiting confirmation of registration from the uni.

Sorry OP this sounds awful.

I guess some people really don’t understand there isn’t a safety net for everyone or that even safety nets have an end point.

Agree with PPs, have a look round and see if any unwanted items -
Clothes, old toys, baby clothes -
You could bag up and sell?

I actually sold some old gold earrings once - I’m not advocating pawning your possessions at all. Just that if you have any old bits and bobs laying around you may be able to rustle up 20 quid here and there.
I hope things take a positive turn for you soon OP

@Justanotherquestioner

Does anybody know- im worried about a food bank referral as my eldest boy is coeliac. Is that something that would be a huge issue?

The place I’ve volunteered had “free from” sections and they specifically requested donations for different dietary requirements.

Apply to uni hardship funds ? May help

@Justanotherquestioner

Does anybody know- im worried about a food bank referral as my eldest boy is coeliac. Is that something that would be a huge issue?

Depends on the food bank, but they should be able to cater for this. It might need to be specified on the referral voucher though.

I guess some people really don’t understand there isn’t a safety net for everyone or that even safety nets have an end point.

This is exactly it. We are at the end of what we can handle. Our heating is also broken - we went without heating last winter because we couldn't afford to get it fixed. It's a sad fact of life.

I can't get access to any more credit.

Things will resolve eventually. But it's just shite. Surely I'm not the only one facing poverty because of covid

I feel for you OP, we've all got Covid and self employed. Can't use credit cards forever as you have to have money to pay them back. Covid totally stopped our industry as we are a limited company ( just me & DH) didn't get any of the support payments. It's very hard if you are waiting on money being self employed and knowing you can't work. I looked at the Covid payment, but the yearly family income threshold is £19k or below, I live in the SE so this is very low. I might try to email the council and explain I'm desperate too. Cash flow is very difficult for many families without the added expense of all being at home for 10 days plus, my DS would normally have free main meals as he's in year 1.

If you have no heating can you not find a teaching role rather than supply? Can your DH study at night and work during the day or put it on hold until you can afford for him to return?

I’ve got no advice OP but just wanted to comment on the coeliac part. My DS is gluten intolerant so I understand, and it was awful last year at the beginning of the pandemic when everyone cleared the r shelves of bread/flour/pasta and then did the same to the Free From aisle

I used to do a monthly food shop for the food bank on behalf of my workplace and would always make sure I put gluten free/dairy free items in, and this year our local food bank is putting reminders out for free from stuff. Hopefully yours is doing similar in your area.

Tinned potatoes and beans are gluten free, food banks tend to get a lot of both. They'll likely have long life milk, maybe eggs, other tinned veg like carrots and sweet corn, packets of rice, maybe tinned fruit or packets of fruit juice. Some canned soups are gluten free, you might have to check for them. Even if they dont have specific gluten free stuff - and some do, food banks often get first choice of stuff from the supermarket., the Olio ap may have things too.

Our local food bank doesnt always need to ask for donations, if you are really in need you'll get help there.

Universities have hardship funds.

Well OP You know what to do next time dont you.

OP google 'food banks near me', you will probably find some that don't require referrals. A lot of churches etc are running them at the moment. They usually let you go as often as you need to.
Also, re heating, personally I would invest in a couple of cheap oil radiators or fan heaters once you have a little bit of money or credit on your cards. Fan heaters can be picked up for under £20 and can be moved from one room to another.