Newly single mum money worries

[Anonymousgirlxoxox]

So iv iv only been single two weeks . I have two kids to different dads , 1st dad doesn't pay , 2nd ( who just broke up with ) pays me £30 a week .

Now , my gas and electric is pay as you go . I'm really struggling to afford it . I have to go without gas so I have electric . Food , well don't get my started . I don't have any food . I have £6 left so going to get some bits . My ex payed for gas and electric & food , I don't no how I'm going to do this . I have eaten hardly anything I leave it all for my kids or I eat their left overs . I can't afford petrol either . Iv just got a new job waiting for my dbs . I don't get paid till end of the month , iv just not had chance to get back on my feet . Not really sure why I'm posting this tbh just some advice would be nice . I'm only 23 . My kids are 2&4 . I feel a bad mum 😭

I'm so cross for you that these useless fathers are not paying for their own children. It's just not right. Did they want to be fathers?

@Crake1789

It depends on his salary. My ex earns less than £25k and doesn't have overnights and I get about £20 per week per child ......£350 a month which doesn't even cover our eldest before/after school childcare

@Crake1789 I get £15 a week for my disabled DS as my self employed ex only declares £7k a year. It's absolutely sickening 🤬

@20weeksandcounting2023
@TheFormidableMrsC

Sorry to hear that both, must be really tough. On £25,000 per year £20 per week would be less than 5% of his take home pay... More importantly barely touches the sides when it comes to childcare. Should be higher IMO

If they're going to be dishonest about their income to dodge paying that's shameful and it's their kids who are really paying the price. How selfish!

How often do their fathers have the kids? Maybe they need to take them more right now until you are back on your feet. And if you've done a CMS claim for the first dad and he has no income but isn't on benefits then report him to HMRC for tax evasion - he would need to prove where his income came from.

Please don't feel embarrassed or like you are a bad mum. Most of us would struggle suddenly having a relationship breakdown. It's hard to get your head together afterwards. Well done for getting the job, that's brilliant.
Are you on facebook/have you got a local facebook group? You could post and just say you are struggling and usually people are great and will try help (maybe some spare food etc). The advice given here is good but things like reporting your ex for tax evasion etc don't help in the here and now. Explain to your mum that you are very short atm and ask for her help. Please keep posting, don't feel alone.x

www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/find-a-foodbank/

Get in touch with a food bank tomorrow.