Fed up of struggling financially

[povertymum]

Anyone else in the same boat? I am on my knees struggling, I am single mother of 1 and I have absolutely no help at all. Me and my son’s father split up 4 months ago and we haven’t seen him since , I had to leave my job due to no childcare options. I’ve just put my child to bed and now I’m sat worrying , really anxious about upcoming bills and how I’m going to put food into his mouth. It’s an absolute awful feeling. I have £9 in the bank and £0 cash this is supposed to last me one week. I need electric and food. I have no family I can ask, I am not eligible for loans etc. it’s just rubbish.

anyone else severely struggling? I don’t know how I’m struggling so much I buy absolutely nothing for myself.

Are you getting everything that you are entitled to?

How old is dc?

Hi, I'm sorry you're in this situation. How old is your DC? Are they on a waitlist for childcare so you can work a few hours?

Have you checked that you are definitely claiming all the correct benefits you're entitled to?

How old is your DS? There’s no childcare options at all?

Hi, thanks for your replies. Yes I’m getting everything I am entitled to and my son is 2. I have been looking for childcare but no luck yet.

Make an appointment with Citizen Advice Bureau OP so they can help you make sure you claim every benefit your are entitled to and also give you a referral to a local food bank.

Any local foodbanks that could help ?

Check you are claiming everything you are entitled to. Ask for a food bank referral to solve the food problem for a few days.
Are there any community fridges, bread and butter project, social supermarkets in your area for free or very cheap food?
im sorry your in this situation.
You haven’t said how old your son is but have you contacted the councils early years dept if he’s under school age as they should be able to give you a list of providers

Apply for a social fund grant

Definitely get to a food bank.

The dad doesn't pay CM I assume but have you put in a claim?

Start a child maintenance claim.

Look at the app Olio for food given away.

Get in touch with your local health visitor to see if you are eligible for healthy start vouchers or any other benefit/food bank referral.

Some good advice so far.

Have a look for cost of living crisis resources on your local council’s website. Some offer crisis grants. There should also be a link for claiming single person council tax discount.

And meant to add, I am sorry you have all this worry. It should get better. 💐

If you claiming everything you are entitled to (I believe it's UC) - they'll soon push you for work anyway and they cover most of the childcare. I would personally join every single waiting list for nursery/childminder. It can be difficult, especially if you are in London, it's very complicated to get nursery until your child is 3,5 because of the staff ratios...And most of them prioritising full price paying parents...
My advice- call every single bill and ask for tariff update- broadband has social tariff, CT reduction,etc.

WHY do we have a system in this country which allows parents ( let’s face it, mainly men) to just…..bugger off, relinquishing all responsibility for their own children? How does he think you are managing??
This is shit for you op and totally unfair. Agree with contacting CMS, local foodbanks and Citizens advice.

Start looking for another job. It’s the only sustainable way out and up. Unless you live in the back of beyond it’s unlikely there are no childcare options. And frankly it’s a bit shit that everyone’s first thought is “more benefits please”.

Benefits will cover most of your childcare.

Start looking for another job. It’s the only sustainable way out and up. Unless you live in the back of beyond it’s unlikely there are no childcare options. And frankly it’s a bit shit that everyone’s first thought is “more benefits please”.

Benefits will cover most of your childcare.

Start looking for another job. It’s the only sustainable way out and up. Unless you live in the back of beyond it’s unlikely there are no childcare options. And frankly it’s a bit shit that everyone’s first thought is “more benefits please”.

Benefits will cover most of your childcare.

Sorry - no idea why it posted so many times…

There isn’t childcare though, it says in op that’s why she quit her job - no childcare options

Really? No childcare whatsoever? Nothing at all? Whilst I know there are some rural deserts where you won’t find childcare, there is usually something on offer. Might not be your first choice or ideally situated, but not sure the OP has that choice.

And if someone is capable of a CAB session to review benefits, why not spend that time looking for childcare and a job?

@DeafLeppardi have no idea, but I imagine that would be the case if op had to leave her job after she split from father of child.

I’m sure it’s those 30min spent at CAB that would magically mean she loses the window of opportunity for this specific childcare placement or job to pop.

@povertymum I have no useful advice that hasn’t already been given, I just want to say I’m sorry you’re going through this and I sympathise.

DD is an adult now but still at home studying and I definitely notice the difference in cost of living in recent years. I thought I wanted to live on my own permanently but I’ve found myself looking forward to my bf moving in. Because he’s lovely obviously, but also because I just want to experience even for once in my life the relief of double income on expenses. I’m just sick of being so burdened all the time.

Can ypu speak with your health visitor? Not sure how old your child is about a referral to the Local food bank?

You will be entitled to 15 hours for low income if you are in England.