I’m so stressed with money right now

[Soubriquet]

I have nothing. Absolutely nothing and I have bills coming out of my ears.

I can’t work at the moment due to my mobility and I get standard mobility PIP though I have recently applied for a change of condition as it’s gotten worse and I now need assistance in and out of the bath and other stuff.

My husband works but it’s a cover position at the moment. He’s hoping it’s going to come permanent. He’s also applying for everything he can get and so far not much.

I get child tax credits and benefit. I need to switch over to universal credit but until my dh has steady work, I can’t afford to do this.

I desperately need to pay my phone bill which is 2 months later. It’s £60 and it’s all I have until Wednesday.

I need to get myself a mobility scooter or a power chair but I can’t afford that. Mobility trust are useless. I keep emailing them but getting no where.

I have an overdraft on my bank account which we are never out of

I can’t get any credit cards as my credit is now trashed. I am truly stuck.

Any advice would be welcomed right now. Seriously any advice

Is there a social enterprise grocery place near you? Depending on how it is set up it could be free or a small nominal fee for food and sundries.

Also a benefit maximiser appointment with CAB may be helpful to make sure you are choosing all you can. They may also be able to sign post you to grants that you can apply for that won't need paying back.

The CAB is a good call actually. I’ll get in contact with them

Contact your local council about Scheme 4 of Household Support. Contact your local citizens advice, they may have fuel vouchers/schemes. There may be disability charities in your area who have equipment/grants.

Someone mentioned knew style esa up thread, have you looked into it?

If you get DL pip and your husband isn't working, could he get carers allowance?

https://www.stepchange.org

Contact Step Change

Our local church runs a no questions asked food and baby bank. It's open to everyone and is run by volunteers. Maybe there is something similar in your area?

Thank you for all your advice. I will look into all of them

As a suggestion for a job, have a look at Parish Clerk jobs near you? There are some advertised near me that are 5/6 hours a week from home and flexible bar one evening meeting every month or two. The old clerk at my work had severe mobility issues but could manage to be driven to the once a month two hour meeting, the rest from home!

Once you swap over to UC you can submit fitnotes and be assessed for limited capability for work. If you qualify you can receive more than an extra £300 per month.

You can also get a food bank referral through Help Through Hardship, which is a citizens advice partnership with Trussel Trust

www.trusselltrust.org/get-help/

Clerking for school governors is another similar option, it's what I did when I was too ill to work much. Aside from the meetings I could do the rest of the work from home on days when I felt well enough

Look at the turn2us link for charities that might be able to give you a grant for a mobility scooter or similar. The charity I am trustee of is on there (we only support a tiny geographical area though) and we have given a number of grants for mobility scooters and similar. So there may be a charity that supports your location

Also depending on past jobs you /your husband have done, you may find there is a relevant 'benevolent fund' or similar that may be able to help

Made a vinted account today thx didn't realise there were no selling fees ,so better than ebay thx for tip.

You’re welcome

@Soubriquet

Sorry to @ you - can you give me an idea of roughly where you are (Eg North Wales/ Kent/Sussex area or similarly general). Depending on your location, I may be able to suggest something helpful

Sounds crap, you have my sympathies. Can you bring any bills down, like your phone? I pay 7.50 pm with ID mobile.

Lincolnshire

Ah, sorry I'm no help at all in Lincolnshire.

Hope things improve for you soon.

There may be funding available depending on your circumstances. Your council has funding. Don't be scared to ask for help. I've linked below to start you off. Hope you get some help x.

https://lincolnshire.connecttosupport.org/information-and-advice/cost-of-living-support/

@Soubriquet where abouts in Lincolnshire? PM if you prefer. I live in Lincolnshire.

What do you need? I can help x

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/water/water-supply/problems-with-paying-your-water-bill/watersure-scheme-help-with-paying-water-bills/

You may be eligible to have a reduced charge for your water bill. Hth. All the best OP

@SSoubriquet please contact the Citizens advice. Our situation is similar to yours, they were brilliant. They got us a one off payment of £250 from a charity, 300 of vouchers to use at Tesco, energy vouchers.....they negotiated with our mortgage company to accept reduced payments for 5 months....they look into any other benefits you may be able to get.....its worth a call!