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Original poster

debt and student nurse, crippling me

71 replies

NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 10:41

I am in such a mess with money.
I have around 5k debt. On over drafts, pay day loans and gas and electric arrears.
I was on a debt management plan but I can't keep up repayments.
I currently can't afford food for the week.

I'm a single parent to DD aged four
I'm a student nurse.
My childcare is 1k a month due to Monday-fri 7-7 as I can't ask my parents.

My rent is 300 a month
Fuel 40 a week
Childcare 1k a month

My income is:

Bursary 1,277 a month
Tax credits, 60 a week
Maintainence 50 a week
Child benefit 20 a week.

I work too about 8 hours a week. I'm killing myself doing all this.
I never see the money it goes straight out.
I can't speak to step change as I know they are fed up of me and my debt management plan.

I don't know what to do.
It's my fault I'm in this mess,'my ex left me pregnant with nothing and I just want a nice life and best for dd

I've contacted citizens advice but they are taking forever to get back to me.

I just do not know what to do

OP posts:
Taja123 · 14/05/2016 13:57

Hi I work with a local authority who have a welfare help program it might be worth trying them check your local council website . Also as you are in receipt of housing benefit you can apply for a discretionary housing payment (DHP) this can be used toward fuel bill rent etc .
Also contact your energy supplies as they are all legally obliged to have a hardship fund to help vulnerable customers this includes gas electric and water definately worth a try as often people are unaware these exist . The welfare program can also help with pre paid cards if you are in immediate need re food and also refer you to a food bank . Hope this helps

Taja123 · 14/05/2016 13:59

Sorry meant to say make sure housing benefit have note if your childcare costs and they disregard an amount for that from your income (£175) per week in Birmingham

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 13:59

Thank you all I'm following all this up and I've contacted lamplight

OP posts:
grumpmitchell · 14/05/2016 14:23

Contact your university's wellbeing team. The uni has to put aside funds for hardship payments. There's a form to fill in but I'm almost certain you'd be eligible in your circumstances.

titchy · 14/05/2016 14:40

How come your dd won't start school till next year if she's 4 now? Are you in Scotland? Or do you mean she starts next academic year ie September?

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 14:48

I was in such a state when I posted .
She turns four in September. So she just misses out on school

OP posts:
IDontBelieveAnything · 14/05/2016 14:57

What about taking a year out of your training and return when your DD is in school. The childcare is what's killing you.

It's scarey that you have pay day loans. You need to get proper help to deal with this. Try step change again.

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 15:02

I really don't want to take a year out as I love it

OP posts:
SteffiMuse · 14/05/2016 15:18

Make a appointment with the uni. They helped me out loads. You could also cut childcare instead of 7-7 maybe 8-4?

SteffiMuse · 14/05/2016 15:22

I started uni when DD was three and it's a tough three years but all worth it in end. It is a struggle but the uni helped with childcare and also helped with my shortcomings and just about managed

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 14/05/2016 15:26

Will you have any time off over the summer? If so, can you either

  1. Arrange so you don't have to pay nursery fees (some nurseries are happy to give people a month off fees in school holidays as lots of their staff want to take holiday in the school holidays) or
  2. Get a job during those hours. If you could work full time for a few weeks you might be able to get rid of the pay day loans which would make things a lot easier.
Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 15:27

I will have three weeks off, I will need to keep dd in childcare so I can work as much as possible.
My childcare is both childminder and nursery

OP posts:
Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 14/05/2016 19:39

I just wanted to thank everyone for the advice today it means a lot Flowers

OP posts:
IDontBelieveAnything · 14/05/2016 20:11

I really don't want to take a year out as I love it

I think if you have pay day loans, other debts, are in arrears and are on a debt repayment plan then I don't think you have the luxury of doing something because you love it. You need to be sensible and do what works.

SteffiMuse · 14/05/2016 20:14

Are you sure you're uni can't help with childcare?

AndNowItsSeven · 14/05/2016 23:06

Wouldn't recommend taking a year out, you will still have breakfast club , after school club, holiday club.
Please speak to uni they should help.

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 15/05/2016 08:40

I've booked an appointment with them as well.
I spent last night writing to the gas, electric and waters hardship funds. I've applied for the discretionary housing payment.
I have spoken to lamplight, and citizens advice.
I have written to ask for my housing benefit to be reassessed to take into account my childcare and explaining why.
I have written out my budget and how and where things don't add up.

There is no way I can take a year out, it would be far too traumatic for dd. I'd loose the bursary and end up working for the same amount of money as a healthcare assistant with long hours and similar childcare amounts needed

OP posts:
donajimena · 15/05/2016 08:45

Have you considered going bankrupt or into IVA. I'm in an IVA but I wish I had gone bankrupt. I'd have been on the up now.

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 15/05/2016 08:54

I think that's definitely something to look into.

Whilst I apply for these hardship funds do I pay all of the arrears off?

OP posts:
IDontBelieveAnything · 15/05/2016 09:11

Going bankrupt is a major decision. See what step change say.

Are you sure they wouldn't put the bursary on hold for you? I don't know how nursing works so sorry if that's a daft suggestion. I don't believe you would be the first student nurse to have a year off.

You wouldn't have to be making money if you took the year off just not going further and further into the red. What about not working for the year apart from your DDs free nursery hours - SORN the car and live frugally for the year.

Do you get everything you are meant to get from your DDs Dad.

titchy · 15/05/2016 10:14

DONT TAKE A YEAR OUT! Nurses next year will no longer be entitled to NHS funding and will have to have normal student fee and maintenance loans. It won't apply to existing students but taking a year out might mean you come under the new rules when you go back.

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 15/05/2016 10:15

That is very true I forgot about that!

OP posts:
QuiteLikely5 · 15/05/2016 10:25

Your university has a hardship fund for exactly the reason you are describing. They will want to see your bank statements though so they can see you're being honest.

They help with bills/food/childcare costs/car repairs

Basically my uni said that of financial hardship was going to interfere in your studies or your ability to continue to be a student then they would help.

Do not despair. If step change aren't good then try another organisation.

5k debt isn't too bad don't go bankrupt

Original poster
NorfolkEnchantsToday · 15/05/2016 10:33

That is very true I forgot about that!

OP posts:
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