Looking for the best to get short term help with money.

[BeSassyLion]

Hello, I'm actually quite mortified (and embarrassed ) that I'm posting this here but as a family we are struggling at the moment. I've had a major operation so currently on sick from work recieving SSP, and partner had to take 2 weeks off to care for me but had to return back to work. As the title suggests we are struggling at the moment, especially to get fuel for partner to get to work. We've asked the family and friends we have for help to no avail due to them living month to month too, we've asked work for advances but they don't do this apparently, we are not eligible for overdrafts at the moment as we have both just opened new bank accounts due to them being compromised. So my question is does anyone know of anything at all that could help? I'm honestly just at a loss right now and I just feel defeated as every avenue I've explored just comes to a dead end. So would appreciate any advice or help that you can give me.
Thank you very much in advance

If you have a good credit rating you could apply for a 0% spending credit card and only use it for absolute essentials until you're back on your feet. You can often get the card details within a day or two to add to your phone wallet to use.

Can your DP get a lift to work with a colleague? Borrow a bike?

Ruthlessly review your outgoings and cancel or reduce the cost where possible.

If you have any unused supermarket loyalty points use those for food shopping.

See if you have any credit in your utility account you can get back.

Unless you have DC you're probably not entitled to universal credit.

Do you have anything you can sell or even pawn?

Failing everything else, foodbank for groceries, prioritise fuel for DP work, also council tax and rent/mortgage and bills that appear on your credit file and possibly let other bills go unpaid. Talk to people you owe money to so they know you can't afford to pay right now.

Can he try to get a lift share situation going, even if it’s only in the short term?

Selling things on Facebook market place Is the only thing I can think of that’s fast.

If you have a mortgage, could you call them and ask for a break. Lots of providers offer this.

Have you tried your local Credit Union? Where do you both work? Some CUs will automatically give loans to people who work on their trusted employers list.

Hi everyone! Thanks for the advice. DP is unable to get lifts to work nor bike it as no colleagues live near us and his work is quite a way away. We're currently up to date on priority bills due to DD coming out of our banks as soon as we're paid but in turn this has left us with nothing for now due to the reduced income due to sick pay and him taking dependency leave to help me. We're not entitled to benefits, and we've applied to the local council for help with food/fuel but the turn around is around 2 weeks and obviously with the bank Holiday which doesn't help us with the now. But I really appreciate all the advice so thank you.

Have a look here if there's a benevolent fund you can apply to:

https://britainexplained.com/list-of-benevolent-funds/#:~:text=The%20type%20and%20amount%20of,offering%20coaching%20or%20career%20development.

It's not immediate, but can help if you are going to be off work for a while.

Referral to a foodbank.

Have a look what is in your local area, as there are usually a few food banks/foodwaste schemes.

Go through your bank statements, and cancel any DD for subscriptions etc you don't need.

Can you sell anything in vinted/ebay/we buy books for a few extra ££

Speak to all your utilises about reducing your bill payments temporarily (utility companies sometimes also have access to grants that can help you with your bills), go to a credit union, looks for a grant from a charity https://grants-search.turn2us.org.uk/.

do a benefits calculation. You think you might not be eligible but unless you do a benefits calculation then you won’t know https://benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk

You could try the Olio app, too good to go etc for free / low cost food, and selling things on Facebook etc to make money.

Do the Money Saving Expert money makeover https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/money-help/. It takes a day or so but can save you thousands.

I assume you've used Turn2Us or similar with respect to benefits and have some certainty about lack of eligibility.

If you've been with your bank a while and your accounts had to be moved following some sort of security compromise is it worth pressing them futher and seeking a manager or similar who can over ride a 'computer says no' scenario?

As others say, can you acess an interest free, or even interest bearing provided you'll be back on top of things soon, credit card?

If you are upto date with your council tax then see if they will spread the payments over 12 months rather than the usual 10. You'll still pay the same over the year but payments are spread thinner.
Look at your gas and electricity bills and see if you've built up any credit. Then get a refund. We're going into summer so your usage should be going down anyway.
See if any mobile phones are out of contact and get a Sim only deal.

Download TooGoodToGo app helped me save in January

I actually used a pay day loan once.

I was in a situation where bank charges went out of my account a few days before I was paid, so the charges took me overdrawn, which meant I got more charges etc.

I know they have a bad reputation but if you need some money short term and it is a one off.

I use 'Top Cashback', mostly I just get 5p here and 10p there but I had to renew my electricity contract recently and that got me £50, well it will because there is quite a delay between it tracking and payment, I think this is 14 weeks.

Who do you bank with? I have several accounts but have just had £50 credit from Nationwide because they have taken over another company. Last year I got £100 from them. You have to have a current and savings account with them and some money in each.

My electric is with EDF, they give a certain number of hours of free electricity on a Sunday, so that's when the washer/dryer is on.

I'm signed up with the origin panel. This isn't for everyone A device monitors the adverts you watch on TV or on your computer. You earn points every month which you can spend on goods they offer or you can exchange for vouchers. I live alone and get the equivalent of £10 a month.

https://www.theoriginpanel.uk/

I know these are not all short term I hope things improve for you.

If you’re not usually struggling and it’s only at the moment because of the ssp then I think that the most effective things will be:

Have a good sort out in the house and put anything which you no longer need onto Facebook or Vinted.

Go through your kitchen cupboards, freezer etc and make a meal plan until the end of the month which doesn’t involve buying anything extra.

Go through the house and look for any bits of money anywhere. Coins in the sofa, junk drawer, bedside table etc.