Major money and electricity worries.

[beccamummymay]

Hi everyone I'm new to this just looking for some advise and please no negative comments ... I'm a single mum of a 7month baby iv had to go back to work as i was struggling with money now I don't know if that was my best move as I'm struggling now more than ever!! I recently moved into a council property after leaving my ex partner for reasons I don't want to put on here. I was so exited to finally have a fresh start with my LO, I moved in with nothing but a bed tv and my baby's things. I had to apply for help with basic appliances which I was granted. I also went back to work to try be able to afford to decorate as I currently have floor boards and bare walls iv managed to complet one room at the min. As I have no family and also no friends in the area I currently pay for child care for my child while I work. Once I have paid child care , bills , food , baby's essentials I'm left with barley enough to live let alone decorate! My house seems to never progress and I am basically living in 1 room! I don't know what to do for the best! This week I had a unexpected expense and had to buy my child some new baby grows etc I'm usually organised with things but with the house iv been in a bubble. Now my electric is on -2.00 and I Dont know how long that will last :( iv rang my supplier etc and I'm already owing to them so couldn't get help... does any one know any organisations? Or any other support places that can help as my next income isn due till next Monday thank you :)

Housing worker told you they are cheapest?? OMG complete incompetence. They not cheaper they just keep you out of short term arrears with energy company.In the summer you use less,in winter more but if you have set amount DD payment throughout the year you will not be in arrears.

Yea he told me I'd be alot better off (biggest lie ever)
Iv rang my health visitor she's currently out on home visits but said she will call me back as soon as she gets a chance .

Energy companies usually have a department that can assist vulnerable families, which supplier are you with? You can usually find the details online for the right department.

The British Gas energy trust will help people who are customers of other energy firms:

www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/application_process.html

I'm not sure the energy trust will help as OP doesn't have arrears due to being on a prepayment meter... I may be wrong though.

Can I ask where you are in the country. In Scotland the welfare fund covers crisis and community care grants. The bed and sofa etc you got sound like a community care grant. The crisis part is to cover exactly what you described. They can also refer you to housing benefit and council tax reduction and signpost you to other sources of help.

I can see the problem with your ex, it is worth logging it with CSA anyway as more and more cash gets harder to hide, eventually you may get something. At some point he will have to surface, when he tries to buy some land/house/car with his cash he will crop up somewhere at some point. So at least it will be there, he will also have to be more creative to get away from it.
Do his family know about his son? Due to the situation I'm guessing your not welcome. I do know some traveller families have stepped up, but I've also seen the opposite happen.

Back to the point in hand, have you done your entitled to calculator? www.entitledto.co.uk
It won't help this week, but you might find theres something more your entitled to. You shouldn't be struggling as you are.
I used to be on a prepay, and the constant fear when you had no money and you knew it was on a minus.

Housing and council tax benefit / single person discount on council tax
Child benefit.
Tax credits including child care help.
Water sure (reduced water rates) if either of you qualify.

I advise you to sit down and work out exactly what your income and outgoings are.
The most important bills are your rent and electricity/gas so calculate how much you need to put on the meter to last you.
It would have been wiser to do this before spending money on baby clothes. Can you return them to the shop? Charity shops sell hardly worn baby clothes very cheaply. It's more important that you have light and hot water.

Also, speak to your employer. They should be able to advance you some of your wages, which you can pay back on Monday.

I actually think pre payment meters would suit your situation best.

You can charge the key with small amounts as and when you can afford and keep an eye on what you are using. You will then not be confronted with a huge bill at the end of a quarter.
Bear in mind that tumble dryers will eat up a lot of electric as will putting on the main oven so avoid doing this daily. If your electric meter runs out, it will allow you £5-7 emergency electric which will be deducted when you next top up the meter. So the screen will read: -7.00 E and beep if it is about to cut off.
When finances are tight, you need to count every penny.
Hope that helps.

I'm in the UK West Yorkshire,

my ex partners family do accept my son but iv had to flee from another part of Yorkshire . I'm not willing to get in touch with them as my location is unknown to them

Iv just read if I order food from morrisons they dont take a payment until it's delivered ? Is this with all banks or certain

Sainsburys don't take it until the day of delivery not sure if others.

beccamummymay
Asda as well

What about milk and more? The milk man, you pay them monthly if i remember rightly.

Have a chat with your hv and be honest. My council will give carpets for living room, children's bedrooms, Lino for kitchen and bathroom, and carpet for hallways if you've a "crawler". Bit if you don't tell the hv, they can't help. :)

Have a look on freecycle too. It is amazing what is available free, i put all of my unwanted stuff on there. My local one currently has wallpaper, carpets, rugs, wardrobes etc.,I am sorry, i cannot help with electric, no experiejcn, but i do know that your health visitor can be your best friend- use her!