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Original poster

Crisis Loan - what should I/ shouldn't I do?

41 replies

wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 17:11

Things have kind of reached emergency level in our place and we are applying for a crisis loan tomorrow. Well, I am. DH printed the forms from the internet at work on Friday and we are going to fill them out later today. Is there anyone who has successfully applied for one that can give me some advice about what to expect please?

OP posts:
aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 17:13

can you post a bit more about your circumstances?

ilove · 04/01/2009 17:15

If you are working I very much doubt they will give you anything tbh...what benefits are you on?

AnarchyAunt · 04/01/2009 17:16

Apply for more than you need. They almost never pay out the amount asked for so if you are honest you may not get what you need.

Detail exactly your outgoings not just so they can assess your need but so they can set repayments at a level you can afford.

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 17:22

I don't work anymore. I have been off sick for a year and my sick pay has stopped this month. I was expecting to get SSP but my employers haven't sorted it out.
We aren't on any benefits yet - I will apply as soon as my contract is ended at work. They have been promising to end it for 6 months now but I am still waiting.
Anarchyaunt, thanks for the advice. We have to sit down tonight and work out how much we need to get through the month. I the £1 that we currently have won't even get DH to work this week. Arrgghh, it's crap.

OP posts:
goldFAQinsenceandmyrrh · 04/01/2009 17:31

You don't have to be on benefits to apply for a Crisis Loan

It's the budgetting loan that you need to be on benefits to get

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 17:32

That's what I thought, FAQ, thanks.

OP posts:
aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 18:08

Hasnt your SSP already expired if you have been off for a whole year already? Normally an employer pays SSP for the first 28wks and then some employer top it up to full/half pay. I think you should be claiming Employment support allowance (a new benefit that has replaced Incapacity Benefit) or if SSP expired prior to 27th October you can claim Incapacity benefit as long as you request backdating (maximum 3 months you can backdate)

I think you need clarificationn from your employer exactly what has been happening with SSP

aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 18:09

by the way you dont have to have had your contract ended at work in order to receive the above benefits. Also how many hours a week does your partner work?

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 18:10

I'm a teacher, so I think that means I have different entitlements to other jobs.

OP posts:
Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 18:12

I didn't know that I could apply for benefits before my contract is ended. I'll ask about it in th jobcentre tomorrow. I'm not very good with money at all, and I get very flustered with it all, but I shall go and see what I can do.
My partner works full-time, but he was a stay at home dad until I stopped working. His salary is less than half of mine, so we are really struggling.

OP posts:
preggydonuts · 04/01/2009 18:14

Definately over exaggerate how much you need and why. I know that sounds mercenary but they will under pay and I have lots of experience of this.

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 18:15

Is it ok to say we need X-amount for food etc - is that the sort of info they need?

OP posts:
aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 18:19

Before you go to the jobcentre make sure you get your facts straight about SSP..its a key fact in being able to give you right advice about what benefits to claim. If they say SSP has expired you can claim the other benefits regardless of the fact you are a teacher...it makes no different.

As for the crisis loan its really only going to be money for food, electric if on key meter. You can list travel expenses to work but im not sure if thats allowable. Its been ages since I dealt with a social fund application.

aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 18:20

yes...thats the sort of thing. List each thing and amount indiviually. they may still have set amounts but i just dont know much about crisis loans anymore. I also think they are done by phone but again not sure.

Earlybird · 04/01/2009 18:53

No idea about how crisis loans work, but think you are being given valuable advice here and I wish you the best of luck in securing the emergency funds you need.

Thinking more long-term, if the loss of your salary is what pushed the family finances to breaking point, surely the answer is for you to be able to work/earn again?

How is your health now?

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 19:15

Thanks Aidansyummymummy
You're right, Earlybird. I shan't be working again at least for a few months. We are waiting for a council house, which will have much more affordable rent than the house which we privately rent at the moment Also, once my work ends (or maybe now, I shall find out tomorrow), I shall apply for some sort of benefit. On my partner's wage, we are also eligible for council tax benefit. We've looked into getting more working tax credit, but they won't change until I am officially unemployed.

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 04/01/2009 19:19

It sounds as if you need a full benefits check before applying for the crisis loan. If you have run out of sick pay then you need to apply for the Employment and Support Allowance asap. Are you also entitled to council tax benefit and/or housing benefit?

Are you not able to get an overdraft?

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 19:21

We have tried to look into benefits but it seems to be impossible to check online without knowing what to put for my wages.
My DH has an overdraft with is on a manage-down things, which we cannot afford to keep going.

OP posts:
LadyMuck · 04/01/2009 19:28

Are you not earning under your current contract because you are not capable to work due to illness? In which case you should apply for ESA tomorrow.

I guess that there is nothign worng in trying to apply for a crisis loan, but I think that the amount that you can borrow is limited to 75% of 2 weeks worth of income support if it is needed for living expenses. And even then they will consider whether you have any other credit options open to you.

Original poster
wotuhohohoinat · 04/01/2009 19:33

Thanks ladymuck. Will speak to them about ESA.
There are no other credit options open to us.

OP posts:
aidansyummymummy · 04/01/2009 21:49

ESA may not necessarily be the right benefit to claim. If you SSP expired prior to October 27th you could possibly claim IB as the rules allow you to backdate for 3mths.ie you would have until 26th Jan to make a cliam and request backdating. This is possibly a better option than ESA, which is more work focused. Please speak to your Benefit processing centre. the jobcentre may be helpful but sadly cant offer you expert benefit advise, but can give you the number to call for incapacity advise

wotulookinat · 04/01/2009 22:27

It's so confusing, isn't it? Thanks for your help, Aidansyummymummy. I shall ask tomorrow for the number. I just assumed the job centre dealt with it all. I've always worked so I've never had any dealings with them before.

aidansyummymummy · 05/01/2009 18:50

any joy today wotulookinat?

wotulookinat · 05/01/2009 22:43

I didn't go today - DS was ill and DH was telling me (from his work) to make an appt at the jobcentre place, but I couldn't get through. I'm going to go down there tomorrow, with snotty little boy in tow.

LadyMuck · 05/01/2009 22:47

You should be able to apply by phone too. You would have to sign an agreement if successful, but even if you phone you should get an answer the same day.