Can social services help me with money / debt?

[Bambamxx]

I am currently really struggling with debt at the moment, I have just stopped working due to mental health problems also, so my only source of income at the moment is UC and child benefit.
I have 2 school age children who are picking up on my stress levels.
I am running late on electric, council tax, tv license and other debts I owe money to.

As an example of how bad my money situation is at the moment -: I end up going £500 into my overdraft every month which I recently had to up to £600 to help with bills. I get paid £1,400 UC once a month and £635 of that is taken out for rent, £600 taken by my overdraft.
I am at the end of my tether on what to do. I don’t really have much family that can help with money either and I have maxed out being able to borrow a budgeting loan from the job centre, as I am already paying one back.
Being so skint is making me feel so depressed, and the past few nights even suicidal. The children need some bits for school uniform and I have been going hungry so the children can eat.
My main question is; will social services be able to help with my money situation? Or if anyone has any advice or has been through something similar please let me know, I am desperate.

@Bambamxx Oh also, do you think you might be able to approach your local council, to see if they could help you look for somewhere cheaper to live (lower rent)?

Definitely ask CAP. My friend works for them. They can help you plan a budget, ensure you are accessing the right benefits, negotiate with creditors and generally help you get back on your feet long term. You absolutely don't have to be a Christian, in fact Martin Lewis, Money saving expert recommends them, among other groups. Please ask for help, it is out there.

Step change or CAP as others have said. Good luck.

Definitely contact Step change or CAP. When I worked in debt collection I dealt with them a lot and they were very proactive (and forceful) with us. They made offers of drastically reduced payments that were argued so well it would have been pointless pursuing it through court. My manager was loathe to accept offers of lower payments from individuals but he took them more seriously (and usually approved) when those charities were involved.

SS might be able to signpost you to a uniform charity, food bank and debt support agencies, but they won't give you cash.

Hi OP,
I'm sorry for your situation. As well as the debt charities that have been suggested I would urge you to visit the "debt free wannabe" pages of Money Saving Expert. Please don't let your current situation overwhelm you. You can seek help and this will pass. As Martin Lewis says regularly "there is no debt problem that cannot be solved" and it is true. If your debt is not able to be solved informally then there will be a legal solution for you so speak to those debt charities.

**note - always the charities - don't pay for debt advice or pay one of those companies that make your payments for you for a commission. The charities will help you for free and that money could go towards your debts.

What I expect the experienced people of Money Saving Expert to advise you (and they have all been there) is to open a new "basic" bank account (no overdraft so no credit check needed). Have your benefits paid into your new account. This is unless you can manage to pay down the overdraft with your income but spend the money again through the month - it depends if that is manageable.

I expect that you will also be advised to work out a budget and consider what you can afford to pay towards your debts including your overdraft. So say for example you have £10 left after paying all your essential costs including rent, food etc then you share this between the people you owe money to. As another poster pointed out having a debt charity help you and represent you can help you to manage this if you want. Many people provide companies with a copy of their budget. For most companies their main stick to encourage payment is a threat to take you to court but if you are paying £4 a month and the court agrees that is all you can afford then they are wasting their time and money to take you there.

You might have previously believed that you should pay debts before other spending. If you are in a financial crisis you should make sure that you can pay your essential bills (rent/council tax, utilities, food and household essentials before you pay anything towards debt.

Seek advice and support and I promise you will sleep better when you have.

@something2say why come here just to kick someone when there down you clearly have no idea about mental health

@ most utility companies have schemes were they can reduce your debt but you do need to have contacted a debt charity first they will be able to advise you with this. Also turn to us website offers job or health specific grants if you fall into any of the category worth a look.
Definitely speak to the school about uniform .Are you sure you are claiming all the benefits your entitled too free school meals uniforms council tax reduction.
Step change are really good and non judgemental good luck.

I recommend Christians Against Poverty (you don't have to be Christian). capuk.org

They (at the Bradford head office) go through your finances and create a plan for you. There are local befrienders who help you to stay on track.

I support this charity and regularly get thank you letters from people who have be saved from debt by them. Their stories are amazing.

Lack of money can be so stressful. I think a lot of posters on here have been in a similar situation, where there seems to be no way out.

You have been given lots of excellent advice on here, but can your children's father help out at all? Or any other family members? If you were my sister, I wouldn't hesitate to help you out financially.

I hope you feel healthier soon, and get the help you need.

How much do you get charged for using your overdraft each month? Can't you just use it all and maybe reduce it by £50 a month or so?

I'm sorry you're in such a difficult situation. You could try your GP too. I work in a surgery and we have a social prescriber. They do food bank vouchers and emergency gas/electricity vouchers as well as signposting you to other help. I know it's not a long term solution but it may help a bit

Have you been to your GP about your mental health and to get a fit note so you can try to claim the sickness/disability higher rate of Universal Credit? That will take a few months but could help long term. GP can also give you a voucher for your local food bank to ease the immediate issue of not eating enough. Make an emergency appointment tomorrow.

Explain the issue to your DC’s school, they will have experience of how to help with the school bits and they would have heard it all before so you don’t need to embarrassed to admit you’re struggling.

Have you thought about opening another bank account and getting your payments put in there so you can pay your overdraft off in smaller increments explaining your situation to your current bank afterwards and getting debt advice from Stepchange.

Social services will not help with debts but you could ask your GP to do a referral if you think you need help managing your DC.

Does the total include child benefit? Just wondered if you have checked your entitlement and see if the figure is correct.

Also can you get CMS from the children's dad?

As a SW. If there are no safeguarding issues with your children then SS will not get involved. I echo what people have said above, (if families are on our caseload and struggling) we refer people to CAP, food banks, etc. There are things that your local authority maybe able to refer you for.

I would get in contact with the school and explain exactly what is happening, they should be able to help with uniform and they could also refer you to Early Help who can give support with money and things around the family/home