Any info on financial assistance for single parents?

[Mariemumlife]

Hi all. Really embarrassed to be writing this.
I left my abusive partner 2 weeks before my baby was born, I was in a hostel but found a place to live. I’m on maternity leave and getting UC top up but I’m really struggling financially. Im managing to just about cover my rent, electric, car insurance etc. and I have a budget and buy one meal in bulk to cook at home and try to make it last all week but lately I’m eating whatever my 7 month old doesn’t finish off her plate. I found myself nearly crying in Aldi this morning using pennies to buy my daughter formula and wipes. Her dad rarely bothers to pay any maintenance and is self employed so lies about his income so it’s no help going through CMS. I’ve applied for DAF but wondering if there’s anything else that I can do to help?
thanks

When are you back to work?
what is your salary?
Are you on Stat maternity pay currently?
how much do you receive in UC?
if you think ex commuting fraud, report him

I go back in January and will earn £24,000 as I’m going back 4/5 days. It’s until then I’m concerned but at least I’m losing weight I guess haha. ATM I get stat maternity and a £900 Uc top up. I have reported him to HMRC :)

Good start.

housing benefit?

Food bank?
Would paternal grandparents help financially?

I’m sorry things are so tough and hope they improve soon. 💐

I’ll check where the local food bank is, can anyone go do I just show up? I just feel awful asking anyone for help it’s so stressful thinking you owe someone money as well. Thank you!

Yeah, I get it but my council has a local housing allowance and my house is £200 over that. That’s included in the £900 they give me :)

There is a charity called Gingerbread for single mums who can signpost you to any financial help. It might be worth giving them a call or having a look on their website.

For food, look up your nearest 'pantry' as well as food bank. If you have a good pantry near you, it's not free food but very heavily discounted and you get to choose what you want. Many towns have their own schemes to help people who are struggling to afford food.

Don't feel embarrassed. You've clearly been through a lot and have taken a big and positive step to improve your child's future. Take any help available while you find your feet between now and January.

For the food bank you need to be referred either by Citizens Advice or by your GP, but there’s no harm in just turning up and asking, they will try and help. Don’t be embarrassed to ask, do you have any local small shops where you can ask to speak to a Manager and ask for free food. Our local Co op will give food to anyone if they have it. Check to see if there are any free Community fridges in your area.

Thank you! I will give citizens advice a ring today

Is there an option for you to go back to work sooner? It sounds like you’ll be ok once you go back so it may be worth bringing forward that date. Do you have childcare lined up?

How long ago did you report to HMRC?

Too good to go app can be useful for heavily discounted food.

@Mariemumlife you usually need a referral for the food bank. From your doctor/social worker/ job coach. Does your local council have a crisis loan or could you get one from universal credit?? Sending hugs, it will get better x

Cam you go back to work sooner?
How old is baby?

Clearly says 7 months in the OP.

It sounds like returning to work sooner would be a good option.

You could apply for a discretionary housing payment to see if the council will pay the £200 a month over the lha either until the end of the financial year or possibly until you are back at work. It is a one off. They can also use it for council tax arrears but not current council tax. The cab can help you apply. There can be community pantries as well food banks. If you need furniture a social worker or health visitor may be able to apply to children in need for you and may be aware of other charities who could help.

Defo get an appointment witch citizens advice and let them know it’s a benefits claim

in the mean time get on to Facebook and find your community fridge and sign up and get the notifications. That is free food , doesn’t matter who you are , they are about stopping food heading to land fill.

Join Olio. , another place for free food. The major supermarkets in your area sign up and the reduced food is given away A few people so collect it and then advertise what that have and you pick up from there’s - it is all late evening, who knows what’s available, but worth keeping on top off

Then there is TooGoodToGo You do have to pay but you get rich pickings , esp if in your area supermarkets have signed up. Best deals are from the likes of -marks and Spencer’s service stations It’s an app but again there is a Fb page you can follow to see what people are getting.

if things are really tough , ask your GP practice for a food bank referral and say if it’s toiletries and cleaning products required. There’s not a Gp practice who is going to deny a request or send you on for a SW referral. , so don’t fear asking.

Just one food bank collection can make a huge difference. You are fed , there’s a bit of leeway

There is help , do not ever feel you can’t ask for it.

i wish you a more settled life Good luck xx

When I left I had nothing, but Advance payment from UC saved us!!! I've done this twice when I was struggling, and you can pay it back over a year (maybe longer?)
Community pantry for discounted and free food
Social tariff for broadband and landline if you receive UC(I pay £16 per month with BT and my calls are free) and single adult council tax, you may be completely exempt so its worth checking
Shop around for gas and electricity using Martin Lewis website-OVO were doing the cheapest taiffs a few months ago if you take out the one with boiler cover
Yellow sticker supermarket food can be frozen and costs pennies
Warm hubs provide free hot drinks and snacks and a lot do soup and some do a hot meal as well (don't know if this would save you money)-maybe the same with mum and baby coffee mornings and local libraries
Local children's centres can help with Foodbank referrals, free clothes and toys and free activities
Shampoo bar for hair and showers/washes last for ages(Tesco used to do lovely oat and almond ones)
Don't waste money on different cleaning products-fairy liquid and hot water lasts ages, and cheap bleach is 65p at ASDA
I just did a v cheap food shop at ASDA today their just essentials range saves loads of money

Have you had a sure start maternity grant? Think you can get it up to baby been a year old.

Possibly also check if you can get healthy start vouchers (think it's a card now), that can be used for fruit, veg and milk.

Single persons council tax reduction, and possibly also council tax suport (you need to apply separately but in my last you qualify if on uc)

Are you receiving child benefit? If not apply asap. You will be back dated up to 3 months. Are you getting single occupancy discount with council tax?
I would also google to look into any discretionary grants you can get via your local council.
Are there any bills that you can put into payment plans with the creditors such as your electric etc, so you are paying minimum payments for a while. Contact them and ask what support there is when you’re struggling to pay. Even contact your local council tax office and ask them too. In the first lockdown, they were able to give a 2 month break but it meant you didn’t have a 2 month break around the following Feb/March time when you usually get one. Not sure if they still offer that but it’s worth asking.
Also, for when you are thinking about going back to work and need help with the upfront childcare costs, you can apply for a Flexible Support Fund via the job centre to cover the upfront nursery costs and you don’t have to pay that back. It’s a stressful process and you have to badger them to get it sorted in time but it’s a massive help and then you will get UC cover for following months for 85% (up to nearly £1k maximum).
I know this is a very stressful time, but things will ease up soon once your circumstances change with work etc and hopefully you find some support in the meantime to get you through.
You done the right thing leaving him, you’re a wonderful mother for starting over to ensure your child has a safe upbringing. Be proud of yourself. The hard times won’t last and you’ll look back one day soon and will see this was all worth it for freedom and safety, it’s just the Rocky in between part you have to get through.

if that is your first child you can apply to get £500 as a one off payment called sure start grant. Health visitors and social workers can refer to baby and food banks. There you can get stuff for your baby too even car seats, cots. If you are low income you can apply here https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk to get vouchers to buy food in major supermarkets. You should be eligible for council tax discount or even extra help with your rent from your council if

Lots of good advice here OP . Do you have a Larder food bank close to you? Our local one is for everyone. £2 to fill up a shopping bag with good quality food.
Edited to say 👏👏for protecting your child.

I was wondering this too. Childcare is very expensive.