Fighting the urge to SH

[Katkins1]

I am fighting the urge to SH. I've just finished my degree with a first. Have some fee paid part time work. Whilst I'm waiting for it all to be sorted out (it's all invoices and takes a long time etc.), I've been signing on to JSA. Had a lot of major depression two weeks ago, psychosis. Almost floored me. Started Prozac and sleeping tablets at the same time. I missed a signing (it was my own fault- new claim, didn't realise, was all over the place) as soon as I realised, I phoned and signed on asap. Today, I found out they have sanctioned me for four weeks. I won't have anything from my work yet, am relying on tax credits and child benefit to last 6 weeks now. I have an appointment with the CAB on Monday, phoned social services who said they can't help. Have put in the hardship payments form, but I'm stuck. I have never felt like giving up so much in my whole life. I know it was my own stupid fault, but now my DD will suffer.

Please please don't flame me for claiming benefits. I was in the grip of psychosis, that's why I missed my signing. I explained on the form, but they sanctioned me anyway. Don't know what to do.

I dont know but am happy to bump as you need answers soon.
Am wondering whether you could also ask on say the money matters forum, or chat. Where you should get some answers sooner.

Hi, practically can you :
Access a food bank ( need a form from someone not sure who to get this)
talk to your bank - do they do free overdrafts, take a mortgage break if you have one etc.
look in cupboards and meal plan from your store ingredients?
Do you have any supportive family ( dc's other parent even?) who can help you out in immediate time.
Stay with parents etc for a week or two so no food and utility costs etc.
Am not recommending debt but some credit cards can have zero interest

I have no idea about appealing a sanction. I guess much depends on evidence that you were psychotic - inpatient at a hospital would give you evidence but CAB can advise. Doubt quick change though.

Did you work as a student? Can you pick up short term work that you did when studying in that case? Or has the fudging you had as a student stopped?

For me, writing a list of what I can do ( like CAB appointment booked) can help.

Maybe post on Money section for practical advise, as am sure you not alone in having short term gap in finance til job starts. Can leave MH bit out of you want as ultimately what that area of board can advise is

I've applied to my council for a pre-paid card and forms come from the CAB. My friend is bringing me some things tomorrow. I do have some things in, usually keep a good stock of things.

I'm already into my overdraft (only just), bills will come out of it and the bank won't give me anymore (I tried when I was a student. It's not a student overdraft. Very small.)

No family, DC's Dad is a drinker, don't have much to do with my family (long story). Credit card sounds like it might be worth looking into.

I didn't work as a student, lone parent, full time degree. My funding stopped a month ago. Problem I have with work is childcare now.

I've got a list, have done everything I can for now. I don't know where I stand in the appeal, because I didn't get any help- just from a friend. Was scared my DD would be taken away.

I am terrified. I grew up in poverty, and I can't stand it. I feel as though I have failed her and there's no reason to live.

Hi you sound very organised. Yes not everyone has family to help, worth a thought if have.

If you managed Uni as a single parent then you must be very good at managing your budget. I am not sure if you can get money to help find childcare when working - but definitely worth going through it all with your CSB appointment - including what you can claim when working ( working tax credits?) etc to help.

Ps - personally fi you have no medical evidence sod psychosis then perhaps focus energy on coping and moving forward. I would imagine it is hard to win an appeal with no gp record or hospital details etc. only my opinion though but they do seem stricter. Worth a try. And set a reminder to phone to beep on days you have to sign on? Or something to help you remember.

I am organised and good at budgeting, yes. But this has tipped me over the edge. I know I can get money for child care when working. As it happens, with this work it's fee based and freelance so I don't need it. I'd still be entitled to jobseekers, based on my fee. Because I'm not getting paid at the minute, then I can claim. The sanction is for not turning up when I just started medication, no money for six weeks. No idea how I will cope at all. I feel so poorly. It hasn't done my mental health any favours. Thank you for talking to me.

I've got my record of the medication, but I wasn't going to push it. I missed it because it was the day after I started. As you say, I'm organised. Really usually am. Just missed it because my head was all over the place and I was hallucinating spiders and hearing voices. No one knows that except my friend. I've not told her about the voices though.

Just try and remind yourself of what you have done. You have achieved so much. A top degree. Budgeted your way through Uni.
Organised a job, your finances etc immediately after finishing.

Not that it helps but most students finishing degrees do not have a pay packed first few months after degree funding ends and it isa nightmare. All you can do is contact the agencies the best you can, work out your budget and the best way of getting through with noJSA - if you get it back paid all well and good but from what we hear they are strict so moving forwards about what you can do may be more helpful for you?

If you can, as much as possible, try and not let this incident spoil the next few weeks. Enjoy the sun and your dd ( is she school age?). Lots of free activities - local parks, finding mini beasts and drawing them, crafts with anything you have in house, toys and books already have - spending time with a parent is the key not what you do with it I think. Walks and exploring the local things to do. Children centres often do activities for under 11's in school hols and they are all free. Local churches do holiday clubs and are free. Play dates with friends at each others houses or at a park ( well it was sunny today so you can guess where I spent much of the day!!)

Hopefully just a reaction to meds/ exhaustion. But worht seeing gp if happens again?

It's only a small bit of funding, I was looking for other work to go alongside it. But I can't cope on child benefit and tax credits alone. Yes, they are really, really strict and its not even worth bothering them over because it will waste my energy. I've been hearing voices fir six months, but the meds seem to have helped with that.