Forums > Social Discussion > Poverty is alive and well!
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Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Posted:
UNCARING, INCOMPETENT, WOULD RATHER HAVE A BIT MORE CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR AT THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!
The government is taking the pish totally, if it wasn't for my social worker i would have slit my wrists!
First Sunbird moves in and my income support stops completely, so we live on his £90 per week, me, him and two kids. I had to find out for myself that I should apply for Child Tax Credit.
COMMENCE A FORTNIGHT LONG GOOSE CHASE AROUND EDINBURGH FOR TAX CREDIT FORMS, which ended having to play hide and seek with Edin's Inland Revenue offices (hidden away by haymarket train station), where we couldn't even speak to a person, had to phone another department from there to request an application pack.
Waited 7 days - nothing, so phoned again from my mobile. They said they had no record of my first pack request and that they'd logged this request.
Waited 10 days, and it arrived. Sent it off on the 22nd feb. with details of our new address as we were in the process of moving house.
Now I've phoned the "helpline" (what a laugh) over 5 times myself, the last time I got hung up on which reduced me to tears at the social service centre (as I couldn't afford the phone calls) and as I was there, we tried sorting out the gas and electric. Now the gas was easy, but with NPower, our flat didn't exist! Anyway, we switched to scottish gas electric too so that's a weight off our shoulders. Eventually I had to get our social worker involved and she's been amazing sorting stuff out for us.
However, moving into an unfurnished council flat (where the previous occupant had done a runner for tax evasion) where the wall paper had been ripped off the walls, and someone had watched one too many room makeover programmes was a bit too much.
we've had help off charities like The Edinburgh Furniture initiative, who provided us with an electric cooker, (which after a week we had to wire up ourselves, a micro, two single beds, a fold up camp bed, two chests of draws and a nice 3 piece suit, which we're incredibly grateful for. Now we have no bed ourselves, or fridge or washing machine either, so sunbird and I swap turns in sleeping on the fold up mattress and aligning four seat cushions from the settee & chairs to sleep on, and no, it is not comfortable!
We have bare floor boards, which splinter extremely easy and poor Kirsty (my two yr old) sliced the heel of her tiny foot up on saturday on a two inch long splinter. But, again, our social worker came to the rescue after putting her job on the line demanding we get funding for carpets as the community care grant we applied for still isn't sorted.
This week, we found out that after 4 weeks, our child tax credit application wasn't in the system and it was assumed "lost". Yep, they lost my form! The social services have had to suppliment us so we can feed ourselves, and I even had my ex drop off some tins of food! and today, to top it all off, we found out sunbird probably wont get paid on tuesday. (tomorrow) As we moved, we transferred Sunbird's regestered jobcentre to leith, from wester hailes (shudder haha) but we had a letter from wester hailes jobcentre saying he hadn't signed on. wait, they don't deal with it anymore, it should be leith right? sunbird signed on at leith and wester hailes assumed he must have got a job - commence the angry phone calls! Apparently, the new address wasn't in the system, but the bloody letter saying he hadn't signed on came to the new flat!!???!!!
So I sold a piece of jewellery I made so we can eat this fortnight. To my social worker in fact! £90 cant feed us four per week, so I doubt £40 will, but its all we have. That and each other.
So things have truly hit rock bottom. And you know what hurts the most? The fact everyone who should at least try to help shrugs it off saying basically that it's not their problem!
We're both applying for jobs (before you ask) but we won't even be able to buy nice clothes to go to the interviews. Hell, we can't even afford more than one one-way ticket into town (£1) to actually get to a jobcentre. Which takes about 90mins to walk down to (in Leith, from Drylaw...)
We have NO family to help us out up here, My mother's disowned me, my dad's been keeping my phone topped up though, and Sunbird's Parents can't help out as His sister Just gave birth the other day.
And as for friends up here, I can't say I really have any.
It's true, nobody knows you when your down and out. But when you have money, you have to rip them off you like velcro!
(Hey - the government owes my a heap of money!!!! *waits for people to take notice and turn into velcro!!!* lol)
UNCARING, INCOMPETENT, WOULD RATHER HAVE A BIT MORE CHAMPAGNE AND CAVIAR AT THIS YEAR'S CHRISTMAS PARTY!!!
The government is taking the pish totally, if it wasn't for my social worker i would have slit my wrists!
First Sunbird moves in and my income support stops completely, so we live on his £90 per week, me, him and two kids. I had to find out for myself that I should apply for Child Tax Credit.
COMMENCE A FORTNIGHT LONG GOOSE CHASE AROUND EDINBURGH FOR TAX CREDIT FORMS, which ended having to play hide and seek with Edin's Inland Revenue offices (hidden away by haymarket train station), where we couldn't even speak to a person, had to phone another department from there to request an application pack.
Waited 7 days - nothing, so phoned again from my mobile. They said they had no record of my first pack request and that they'd logged this request.
Waited 10 days, and it arrived. Sent it off on the 22nd feb. with details of our new address as we were in the process of moving house.
Now I've phoned the "helpline" (what a laugh) over 5 times myself, the last time I got hung up on which reduced me to tears at the social service centre (as I couldn't afford the phone calls) and as I was there, we tried sorting out the gas and electric. Now the gas was easy, but with NPower, our flat didn't exist! Anyway, we switched to scottish gas electric too so that's a weight off our shoulders. Eventually I had to get our social worker involved and she's been amazing sorting stuff out for us.
However, moving into an unfurnished council flat (where the previous occupant had done a runner for tax evasion) where the wall paper had been ripped off the walls, and someone had watched one too many room makeover programmes was a bit too much.
we've had help off charities like The Edinburgh Furniture initiative, who provided us with an electric cooker, (which after a week we had to wire up ourselves, a micro, two single beds, a fold up camp bed, two chests of draws and a nice 3 piece suit, which we're incredibly grateful for. Now we have no bed ourselves, or fridge or washing machine either, so sunbird and I swap turns in sleeping on the fold up mattress and aligning four seat cushions from the settee & chairs to sleep on, and no, it is not comfortable!
We have bare floor boards, which splinter extremely easy and poor Kirsty (my two yr old) sliced the heel of her tiny foot up on saturday on a two inch long splinter. But, again, our social worker came to the rescue after putting her job on the line demanding we get funding for carpets as the community care grant we applied for still isn't sorted.
This week, we found out that after 4 weeks, our child tax credit application wasn't in the system and it was assumed "lost". Yep, they lost my form! The social services have had to suppliment us so we can feed ourselves, and I even had my ex drop off some tins of food! and today, to top it all off, we found out sunbird probably wont get paid on tuesday. (tomorrow) As we moved, we transferred Sunbird's regestered jobcentre to leith, from wester hailes (shudder haha) but we had a letter from wester hailes jobcentre saying he hadn't signed on. wait, they don't deal with it anymore, it should be leith right? sunbird signed on at leith and wester hailes assumed he must have got a job - commence the angry phone calls! Apparently, the new address wasn't in the system, but the bloody letter saying he hadn't signed on came to the new flat!!???!!!
So I sold a piece of jewellery I made so we can eat this fortnight. To my social worker in fact! £90 cant feed us four per week, so I doubt £40 will, but its all we have. That and each other.
So things have truly hit rock bottom. And you know what hurts the most? The fact everyone who should at least try to help shrugs it off saying basically that it's not their problem!
We're both applying for jobs (before you ask) but we won't even be able to buy nice clothes to go to the interviews. Hell, we can't even afford more than one one-way ticket into town (£1) to actually get to a jobcentre. Which takes about 90mins to walk down to (in Leith, from Drylaw...)
We have NO family to help us out up here, My mother's disowned me, my dad's been keeping my phone topped up though, and Sunbird's Parents can't help out as His sister Just gave birth the other day.
And as for friends up here, I can't say I really have any.
It's true, nobody knows you when your down and out. But when you have money, you have to rip them off you like velcro!
(Hey - the government owes my a heap of money!!!! *waits for people to take notice and turn into velcro!!!* lol)
Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible
BRONZE Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,750 posts
Location: Europe,Scotland,Both
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,750 posts
Location: Europe,Scotland,Both
Posted:
sorry man, i didnt know.
*thinks*
T
sorry man, i didnt know.
*thinks*
T
This is a post by tom, all spelling is deleberate
-><- Kallisti
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
TP, what do you need to get out of this situation?
Do you have a vision of what you want to manifest in your life, and can you see the first steps to get there? What are the biggest blocks?
What skills or services do you have to offer? Have you been making lists of all these things with your social worker? It is a good way to sort it all out and come up with a realistic plan.
Is there a food bank available? If not, can you intiate one? Are there services in your community that loan or give clothes for interviews? ( there are here in Canada, in urban centers at least.)
I am glad you have a social worker to help. The systems of social support can be a buerocratic nightmare anywhere in the world. You re blessed to have access to it, but must find a route to self reliance asap. I hope you and the social worker can come up with a plan!
It is exhausting finding your way out of what seems to be an insurmountable series of challenges. I can see how you could despair, and recognize the anger and frustration. Particularly when you have children dependant on you, it is so important that you find a way to meet your basic needs.
But you can do it, and will learn a lot in the process. I wish you luck, and hope you continue to share with us your experiences as you go. I wish I was there to cook you all a good meal. Next time I am out in that part of the world...
godd luck, and a huge hug...
TP, what do you need to get out of this situation?
Do you have a vision of what you want to manifest in your life, and can you see the first steps to get there? What are the biggest blocks?
What skills or services do you have to offer? Have you been making lists of all these things with your social worker? It is a good way to sort it all out and come up with a realistic plan.
Is there a food bank available? If not, can you intiate one? Are there services in your community that loan or give clothes for interviews? ( there are here in Canada, in urban centers at least.)
I am glad you have a social worker to help. The systems of social support can be a buerocratic nightmare anywhere in the world. You re blessed to have access to it, but must find a route to self reliance asap. I hope you and the social worker can come up with a plan!
It is exhausting finding your way out of what seems to be an insurmountable series of challenges. I can see how you could despair, and recognize the anger and frustration. Particularly when you have children dependant on you, it is so important that you find a way to meet your basic needs.
But you can do it, and will learn a lot in the process. I wish you luck, and hope you continue to share with us your experiences as you go. I wish I was there to cook you all a good meal. Next time I am out in that part of the world...
godd luck, and a huge hug...
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
Stargazer
6,650 posts
6,650 posts
Posted:
"Child Tax"?????
However
PM on the way
"Child Tax"?????
However
PM on the way
the best smiles are the ones you lead to 
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
many hugs for you tink, i can understand what your going through at the moment some what. i myself am on the bread line and get no such help from the DWP (department of work and pensions)
i mean, just the other week they had me waiting 10 days for my benifits to be payed to me, their excuse "sorry our computer system's not been updated" bunch af amitures!!!!
many hugs for you tink, i can understand what your going through at the moment some what. i myself am on the bread line and get no such help from the DWP (department of work and pensions)i mean, just the other week they had me waiting 10 days for my benifits to be payed to me, their excuse "sorry our computer system's not been updated"
bunch af amitures!!!! SILVER Member
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
We even have to discuss HOW to buy milk as we have to keep it in a flask. The one thing that kept me going was the prospect of being in Beltane again but I've had to drop out as we can't afford a babysitter, nor the £2 for rehearsals, nor the parrafin (which we can't even use cos the rehearsals are indoors?!) And the organiser couldn't even be bothered to reply when I asked him if the move to tuesdays was permamnent.
The CSA want me to pay them about £1,500 for kids I've not seen in 7 years and I can't afford that so I'll probably be sent of to prison before to long.
I'm fed up with those lazy w****** in the department of work and pensions, too busy reading their copy of heat magazine to pull their fingers out of their asses to help anyone. "as long as we're ok, sod the lower classes!" Thatchers creation, the statistician, ruling the world with a stone heart and an iron fist.
We need a total replacement of the system, Civil war.
We even have to discuss HOW to buy milk as we have to keep it in a flask. The one thing that kept me going was the prospect of being in Beltane again but I've had to drop out as we can't afford a babysitter, nor the £2 for rehearsals, nor the parrafin (which we can't even use cos the rehearsals are indoors?!) And the organiser couldn't even be bothered to reply when I asked him if the move to tuesdays was permamnent.
The CSA want me to pay them about £1,500 for kids I've not seen in 7 years and I can't afford that so I'll probably be sent of to prison before to long.
I'm fed up with those lazy w****** in the department of work and pensions, too busy reading their copy of heat magazine to pull their fingers out of their asses to help anyone. "as long as we're ok, sod the lower classes!" Thatchers creation, the statistician, ruling the world with a stone heart and an iron fist.
We need a total replacement of the system, Civil war.
To you who has been accessing my online accounts, changing my login details, locations and posting 
about me, realise, you are not worth revenge, you are not worth my attention, you are nothing, and that is all you ever will be.
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
You need to get off the system!
You need to get off the system!
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
( and makes millions, and millions of dollars or euros or whatever, and then go back and change " the system" it so it actually works... )
( and makes millions, and millions of dollars or euros or whatever, and then go back and change " the system" it so it actually works... )
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
the thing with "the system" as you put it keeps some lasses of people reliant on "the system".
they don't offer you courses or the oppertunity's to get qualifications to get the jobs, i'm not saying they are a school but they should at least put the effort in to help people better themselves.
i'm a qualified scaffolder so i'm not in that trap and i've leared that i can work when i want and for how long i want and i have other things to help me get by but it's been a hard slog getting there, i was on the JSA for 18 months before i saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
it's still a long way off but i now know it's there and can only get closer
the thing with "the system" as you put it keeps some lasses of people reliant on "the system".
they don't offer you courses or the oppertunity's to get qualifications to get the jobs, i'm not saying they are a school but they should at least put the effort in to help people better themselves.
i'm a qualified scaffolder so i'm not in that trap and i've leared that i can work when i want and for how long i want and i have other things to help me get by but it's been a hard slog getting there, i was on the JSA for 18 months before i saw the light at the end of the tunnel.
it's still a long way off but i now know it's there and can only get closer
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
I would like to verify from my own observations (during my 15 years in the UK) that anything Tink and Sunbird say about the demoralising inefficiency, even cruelty, of the UK social security system is probably true. I only had to use it myself for a short (but crucial) time in my life. But I observed the effects on many others.
Good luck chaps.
I would like to verify from my own observations (during my 15 years in the UK) that anything Tink and Sunbird say about the demoralising inefficiency, even cruelty, of the UK social security system is probably true. I only had to use it myself for a short (but crucial) time in my life. But I observed the effects on many others.
Good luck chaps.
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
I don't know about the british system, but anyone who gets involved working within in the canadian social/welfare system is certainly not lazy or self absorbed. No lazy self absorbed person choses social service as a career option!
They are some of the most underpaid overworked and caring people in the country. They are just working within a massively inorganized , poorly structured program that gives them nothing but limitations.And they do that work, daily, yearly, running repeatedly into walls from all sides, with little or no respect or thanks. Some of them are quite exhausted and worn out from what may be seen as an exercise in futility-- trying to help people who are not always even willing to accept their help or work with what is offered, while working for a government that only offers token resources and options to work with . I feel they deserve our appreciation, regardless of how frustrated you may be at this moment.
I found it shocking to realize what was available, and what was not, through the welfare system. We, as a society , like to make all sorts of assumptions about it, from both sides. The reality was/is often quite different.One in five children in Canada does not have sufficient food,goes to school hungry and lives below the poverty line. Most Canadians dont appear to know this. Over ten years ago our government took an oath to change this abysmal situation , and has made no progress whatsoever. It was not even mentionned in the federal budget that just came out.
I certainly learned not to take even basic things for granted. I have also learned a lot about the need and development of self sufficiency.
I hope you guys move through this rapidly, and value the insights and compassion the experience offers, instead of becoming bitter and jaded. I hope in the meantime someone helps you, so your children dont have to know what it is like to be hungry, and you can have some tangible examples of human generousity when you need it most.I hope that you also give thanks for what you have, knowing it could be worse...
I don't know about the british system, but anyone who gets involved working within in the canadian social/welfare system is certainly not lazy or self absorbed. No lazy self absorbed person choses social service as a career option!
They are some of the most underpaid overworked and caring people in the country. They are just working within a massively inorganized , poorly structured program that gives them nothing but limitations.And they do that work, daily, yearly, running repeatedly into walls from all sides, with little or no respect or thanks. Some of them are quite exhausted and worn out from what may be seen as an exercise in futility-- trying to help people who are not always even willing to accept their help or work with what is offered, while working for a government that only offers token resources and options to work with . I feel they deserve our appreciation, regardless of how frustrated you may be at this moment.
I found it shocking to realize what was available, and what was not, through the welfare system. We, as a society , like to make all sorts of assumptions about it, from both sides. The reality was/is often quite different.One in five children in Canada does not have sufficient food,goes to school hungry and lives below the poverty line. Most Canadians dont appear to know this. Over ten years ago our government took an oath to change this abysmal situation , and has made no progress whatsoever. It was not even mentionned in the federal budget that just came out.
I certainly learned not to take even basic things for granted. I have also learned a lot about the need and development of self sufficiency.
I hope you guys move through this rapidly, and value the insights and compassion the experience offers, instead of becoming bitter and jaded. I hope in the meantime someone helps you, so your children dont have to know what it is like to be hungry, and you can have some tangible examples of human generousity when you need it most.I hope that you also give thanks for what you have, knowing it could be worse...
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
SILVER Member
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
Posted:
in my experience, if it involves the governement and social security then it involves inefficiency, mindnumbing tedium and "jobsworth" employees.
as gabe said, good luck..
*wanders off and tries to start ignoring the social chat area again*
EDITED_BY: biggins (1174440758)
Written by: newgabe
I would like to verify from my own observations (during my 15 years in the UK) that anything Tink and Sunbird say about the demoralising inefficiency, even cruelty, of the UK social security system is probably true. I only had to use it myself for a short (but crucial) time in my life. But I observed the effects on many others.
Good luck chaps.
in my experience, if it involves the governement and social security then it involves inefficiency, mindnumbing tedium and "jobsworth" employees.
as gabe said, good luck..
*wanders off and tries to start ignoring the social chat area again*
EDITED_BY: biggins (1174440758)
Wielding a Wooden Spoon
GOLD Member
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Carpal \'Tunnel
3,252 posts
Location: sheffield, United Kingdom
Posted:
Same with the UK- the majority of DWP staff are decent people.
The system they're working in though, is a disgrace- unprofessional, unnacountable with a built in bias towards treating it's clients as work-shy scroungers.
Which of course, a minority are, it's just unfortunate that the rest are treated in the same kind of disrespectful manner and, if, through no fault of their own, they remain on welfare for any length of time, will end up disempowered and at severely reduced likelihood of ever getting off it.
Fact is, that much as the welfare system focuses on making its clients feel guilty for being out of work, it's its own policies and unprofessional/unnacountable approach, that directly ensures that a significant portion of them will remain trapped within it for a good length of time.
None of that is the fault of the majority of the people who work within it, most of whom are probably painfully aware of just how shoddy the system is.
Written by: BansheeCat
I don't know about the british system, but anyone who gets involved working within in the canadian social/welfare system is certainly not lazy or self absorbed.
Same with the UK- the majority of DWP staff are decent people.
The system they're working in though, is a disgrace- unprofessional, unnacountable with a built in bias towards treating it's clients as work-shy scroungers.
Which of course, a minority are, it's just unfortunate that the rest are treated in the same kind of disrespectful manner and, if, through no fault of their own, they remain on welfare for any length of time, will end up disempowered and at severely reduced likelihood of ever getting off it.
Fact is, that much as the welfare system focuses on making its clients feel guilty for being out of work, it's its own policies and unprofessional/unnacountable approach, that directly ensures that a significant portion of them will remain trapped within it for a good length of time.
None of that is the fault of the majority of the people who work within it, most of whom are probably painfully aware of just how shoddy the system is.
"You can't outrun Death forever.
But you can make the Bastard work for it."
--MAJOR KORGO KORGAR,
"Last of The Lancers"
AFC 32
Educate your self in the Hazards of Fire Breathing STAY SAFE!
SILVER Member
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
Posted:
ps: am assuming that you have but have you had a word at CAB? Did they have any advice?
also, IIRC (whichi may not) many sectors of the governement that deal with the public have to have service level agreements and customer charters. do the people that you are having to deal with have such an "agreement"? if they do, can you prove when you have submitted your applications and given them the paper work or can you get proof? if you can and there is an SLA (heres where CAB may help), then you may be able to put some pressure on them to sort it out.
once again, good luck....keep at it and dont give up what ever...you have the right to help and support....
cheers
biggins
EDITED_BY: biggins (1174443789)
ps: am assuming that you have but have you had a word at CAB? Did they have any advice?
also, IIRC (whichi may not) many sectors of the governement that deal with the public have to have service level agreements and customer charters. do the people that you are having to deal with have such an "agreement"? if they do, can you prove when you have submitted your applications and given them the paper work or can you get proof? if you can and there is an SLA (heres where CAB may help), then you may be able to put some pressure on them to sort it out.
once again, good luck....keep at it and dont give up what ever...you have the right to help and support....
cheers
biggins
EDITED_BY: biggins (1174443789)
Wielding a Wooden Spoon
GOLD Member
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Pirate Pixie Crew Captain
8,428 posts
Location: Wales
Posted:
I think it's worth pointing out that in this country we at least do have some social support. There are many millions of people in the world that when they hit hard time, they have nothing to fall back on. However flawed the British system is, at least we have something.
I think it's worth pointing out that in this country we at least do have some social support. There are many millions of people in the world that when they hit hard time, they have nothing to fall back on. However flawed the British system is, at least we have something.
Feed me Chocolate!!! Feed me NOW!
SILVER Member
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
member
165 posts
Location: In Bed, New Zealand
Posted:
definately a fair point and for that we are lucky and do take it for granted.
as you can see it is very very hard when you are baning your head against that brick wall though.
definately a fair point and for that we are lucky and do take it for granted.
as you can see it is very very hard when you are baning your head against that brick wall though.
Wielding a Wooden Spoon
SILVER Member
artisan
1,576 posts
Location: Berkshire, UK
artisan
1,576 posts
Location: Berkshire, UK
Posted:
I'm very familiar with this too....
Advisors Discretionary Fund (unless you've already used it... £100 towards getting work/interview clothes)
They never tell you about the side benefits.
Personally I think the system stinks... it's damned well hard pulling your arse back out of unemployment (Living in the city applying everyday and still hearing nowt- and I have a brain somewhere)... so I end up persuing a course which requires me to fork out with a loan thingy (the current back to work course I'm on with New Deal is boring as hell and gives little time to get other bits and pieces dealt with)
Thankfully I don't have any kids yet, but I was raised on the benefits system.... so I have spent over half my life on the poverty line :S
tip: Skips- go shopping the cheap way (takes sum guts) it's amazing how much really nice stuff gets chucked away. I mean last time we ended up with a box of creme eggs. It's stupid.
Hope it improves soon anyways. Getting the council run around is aggravating.
I'm very familiar with this too....
Written by:
We're both applying for jobs (before you ask) but we won't even be able to buy nice clothes to go to the interviews
Advisors Discretionary Fund (unless you've already used it... £100 towards getting work/interview clothes)
They never tell you about the side benefits.
Personally I think the system stinks... it's damned well hard pulling your arse back out of unemployment (Living in the city applying everyday and still hearing nowt- and I have a brain somewhere)... so I end up persuing a course which requires me to fork out with a loan thingy (the current back to work course I'm on with New Deal is boring as hell and gives little time to get other bits and pieces dealt with)
Thankfully I don't have any kids yet, but I was raised on the benefits system.... so I have spent over half my life on the poverty line :S
tip: Skips- go shopping the cheap way (takes sum guts) it's amazing how much really nice stuff gets chucked away. I mean last time we ended up with a box of creme eggs. It's stupid.
Hope it improves soon anyways. Getting the council run around is aggravating.
SILVER Member
lurking like a ninja with no camouflage..
926 posts
Location: over yonder, New Zealand
lurking like a ninja with no camouflage..
926 posts
Location: over yonder, New Zealand
Posted:
sounds horrible hun, but keep at it you'll pull through, and sounds like you have an excellent social worker who'll help as much as possible..
maybe try something like freecycle.com instead of skip shopping for furniture?
im on the dole right now and while im not in the same spot of bother as you the jobcentre do have a very roundabout way of getting things done. and my housing benefit STILL hasnt come through. *makes mental note to follow it up again*
speak soon, im coming for a visit in the next couple months, big hugs to you all
sounds horrible hun, but keep at it you'll pull through, and sounds like you have an excellent social worker who'll help as much as possible..
maybe try something like freecycle.com instead of skip shopping for furniture?
im on the dole right now and while im not in the same spot of bother as you the jobcentre do have a very roundabout way of getting things done. and my housing benefit STILL hasnt come through. *makes mental note to follow it up again*
speak soon, im coming for a visit in the next couple months, big hugs to you all
on spam robots - "Burn the robot! Melt him down, and then we can make lots and lots of money from his shiiiny juices!"
Owned by Brenn 
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
Some things I did when I was rock bottom skint, having been homeless with a kid in Thatcher's Britain. Bless them for the tiny council flat they eventually gave me... but still oooooh hard times.
making friends with skips, yes specially out back of supermarkets
asking frinedly greengrocers for throwouts, *for the guinea pig* if necessary. (Do you have guinea pigs in Edinburgh? Rabbits?) :otsa good stuff just gets chucked. Can usually get heaps of green stuff this way.
getting old blankets from Oxfam type shops and tacking them to the floor for carpet. Patchwork carpet! Groovy baby!
Always buying proper nice tea and drinking it from a tea pot. Maybe only a few dollars more per week but I could feel like I was having a yummy treat like a proper lady
Be'd a volunteer at a local cool hairdressers so they could try styles out/train people. It was fun and it was nice to have some attention and a cup of coffee and a scalp rub while they washed it. Any bit of *pampering* goes a long way.
Similar at massage schools!
Once again, good luck and I hope the flowers start blooming soon.
Some things I did when I was rock bottom skint, having been homeless with a kid in Thatcher's Britain. Bless them for the tiny council flat they eventually gave me... but still oooooh hard times.
making friends with skips, yes specially out back of supermarkets
asking frinedly greengrocers for throwouts, *for the guinea pig* if necessary. (Do you have guinea pigs in Edinburgh? Rabbits?) :otsa good stuff just gets chucked. Can usually get heaps of green stuff this way.
getting old blankets from Oxfam type shops and tacking them to the floor for carpet. Patchwork carpet! Groovy baby!
Always buying proper nice tea and drinking it from a tea pot. Maybe only a few dollars more per week but I could feel like I was having a yummy treat like a proper lady
Be'd a volunteer at a local cool hairdressers so they could try styles out/train people. It was fun and it was nice to have some attention and a cup of coffee and a scalp rub while they washed it. Any bit of *pampering* goes a long way.
Similar at massage schools!
Once again, good luck and I hope the flowers start blooming soon.
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
SILVER Member
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
So, today we went to the Job centre to find out why I HAVEN'T been paid, and we got told...... wait for it..... they have LOST our change of address form.... the second one they have lost. They say it has been lost by the courier (If so he may now be commiting ID theft with the info on the form). It's all very interesting to note that even thought they say they don't have my new address, they still manage to send letters to it?!?
Npw we've got up to another two week wait before we get ANYTHING.
Plus we found out our community care grant fell through, they say we don't meet the criteria (despite us being told we did, more than once over!!!)
What's happening? We're beginning to believe someone is tampering with our claims, we're at eachother's throats and threatening eachother with splitting up and I shaved my head in a frenzied breakdown from all the stress and Tammie's ex is refusing to acknowledge the fact that it's not our fault and my parents are so La di da over the birth of my nephew that they don't even bother calling to find out why I haven't called or texted. It's an extremely sad state of affairs and our only hopes now are our local MSP or death.
So, today we went to the Job centre to find out why I HAVEN'T been paid, and we got told...... wait for it..... they have LOST our change of address form.... the second one they have lost. They say it has been lost by the courier (If so he may now be commiting ID theft with the info on the form). It's all very interesting to note that even thought they say they don't have my new address, they still manage to send letters to it?!?
Npw we've got up to another two week wait before we get ANYTHING.
Plus we found out our community care grant fell through, they say we don't meet the criteria (despite us being told we did, more than once over!!!)
What's happening? We're beginning to believe someone is tampering with our claims, we're at eachother's throats and threatening eachother with splitting up and I shaved my head in a frenzied breakdown from all the stress and Tammie's ex is refusing to acknowledge the fact that it's not our fault and my parents are so La di da over the birth of my nephew that they don't even bother calling to find out why I haven't called or texted. It's an extremely sad state of affairs and our only hopes now are our local MSP or death.
To you who has been accessing my online accounts, changing my login details, locations and posting about me, realise, you are not worth revenge, you are not worth my attention, you are nothing, and that is all you ever will be.
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
that really sucks sunbird but i cant say i'm supprised to hear that, because of a balls up with one of my claims last summer i didn't have any money coming in for over 5 weeks.
i really like the way that if you are 5 mins late to sign on theyhammer you big time for it yet even when they keep you waiting more than 20 mins you dont even get a "sorry to keep you waiting"
that really sucks sunbird but i cant say i'm supprised to hear that, because of a balls up with one of my claims last summer i didn't have any money coming in for over 5 weeks.
i really like the way that if you are 5 mins late to sign on theyhammer you big time for it yet even when they keep you waiting more than 20 mins you dont even get a "sorry to keep you waiting"
SILVER Member
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
old hand
853 posts
Location: Behind you...
Posted:
to you all. The system is rubbish. Hope things get better soon.
to you all. The system is rubbish. Hope things get better soon. Idolized by Aurinoko
Take me disappearing through the smoke rings of my mind....
Bob Dylan
BRONZE Member
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
veteran
1,247 posts
Location: lost, Canada
Posted:
perhaps you can infiltrate the system, find out what is going on, and improve it?
perhaps you can infiltrate the system, find out what is going on, and improve it?
"God *was* my co-pilot, but then we crashed, and I had to eat him..."
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
... no money??
you have regular internet access though!
you have the time to be posting on HoP. I'd be looking for work, and buying food for the kids, I'd rather starve than see kids starve personally, and spend the ISP costs on feeding them, or buying clothes for job interviews.
Yeah I looked for work once in Edinburgh... I was that desperate I took on 6 News Paper Delivery rounds
... and year.. I walked out with a normal salary a week to pay the extremely high rent and bills in Commiston... With the bonus of doing them on my unicycle, for exercise, practice and finishing the rounds quicker.
If your down and out you should be able to do any thing when and if you put your mind to it.
Just my thoughts or observation, I don't mean to sound harsh... but, the no money blag doesn't work when your paying for internet... either that or some one is letting you post for free.
... no money??
you have regular internet access though!
you have the time to be posting on HoP. I'd be looking for work, and buying food for the kids, I'd rather starve than see kids starve personally, and spend the ISP costs on feeding them, or buying clothes for job interviews.Yeah I looked for work once in Edinburgh... I was that desperate I took on 6 News Paper Delivery rounds
... and year.. I walked out with a normal salary a week to pay the extremely high rent and bills in Commiston... With the bonus of doing them on my unicycle, for exercise, practice and finishing the rounds quicker.If your down and out you should be able to do any thing when and if you put your mind to it.
Just my thoughts or observation, I don't mean to sound harsh... but, the no money blag doesn't work when your paying for internet... either that or some one is letting you post for free.
Carpal \'Tunnel
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
7,193 posts
Location: in the trees
Posted:
ever thought they could be using the free internet access from a public library before you get on your high horse???
Written by: PK_
... no money??
you have regular internet access though!
Yeah I looked for work once in Edinburgh... I was that desperate I took on 6 News Paper Delivery rounds
If your down and out you should be able to do any thing when and if you put your mind to it.
Just my thoughts or observation, I don't mean to sound harsh... but, the no money blag doesn't work when your paying for internet... either that or some one is letting you post for free.
ever thought they could be using the free internet access from a public library before you get on your high horse???
SILVER Member
lurking like a ninja with no camouflage..
926 posts
Location: over yonder, New Zealand
lurking like a ninja with no camouflage..
926 posts
Location: over yonder, New Zealand
Posted:
libraries rock. we dont have internet....
only thing is have to go into perth to be able to watch videos and stuff the local library here isnt quite as hi-tech but its still mega handy......:)
libraries rock. we dont have internet....
only thing is have to go into perth to be able to watch videos and stuff the local library here isnt quite as hi-tech but its still mega handy......:)
on spam robots - "Burn the robot! Melt him down, and then we can make lots and lots of money from his shiiiny juices!"
Owned by Brenn
GOLD Member
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Clique Infiltrator, Cunning Linguist and Master Debator
4,219 posts
Location: Edinburgh burgh burrrrrr, United Kingdom
Posted:
PK- Our internet connection is via my pay as you go mobile phone which we use as a modem. With orange, you buy a £1 unlimited internet access package which lasts till midnight on the day you purchase it, which we've used since i moved from inverness 7 months ago. We are NOT online every day, in fact, until last week, i myself hadn't used the internet for around about two weeks. my birthday was last week, so my father topped me up as a birthday surprise. Also, libraries give FREE access. We couldn't afford busfares to get to the jobcentre, let alone get to a job interview. We've gone WITHOUT MEALS on most days so the kids can eat. And lost weight too. When you have no money coming in you cannot go shopping for food or new clothes. ( I'm kind of tired of having to say the same thing because lazy people don't read all of every post myself and sunbird have made, which is rather insulting.)
It's funny, whoever we tell our story to, there is always a person who assumes we're just scrounging - when in fact, we are incredibly unhappy and stressed at the fact WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE NEXT MEAL WAS COMING FROM. I had to use my birthday money i had of family to use to pay for gas, milk, school dinners etc... Ever been stressed enough to shave your hair off? your trademark hair??? Sunbird did just that!
Anyway, Our situation vastly increased yesterday. We had a fridge donated and a double bed, so we can finally sleep on a proper mattress and we can keep milk for over 8 hrs without having to pop out for an extra pint.
Then, later yesterday afternoon, after putting down the carpet and picking up steph from school, we walked down to the jobcentre in leith (3 miles) and we get the brilliant news that someone's miraculously sorted out our tax benefit, though we're still waiting to hear about our JSA, (were promised to hear something by the middle of next week) so now we have money coming in again, we can afford bus fares to get to the jobcentre to look for work, we can afford washing powder and shampoo now so i don't have to wash hair in value 19p soap, and i don't have to handwash our clothes it the same soap. I still have to handwash our clothes until we can buy a washing machine.
We can now send steph to school with a packed lunch, we can keep dairy products finally for the first time in four weeks, we have a fridge freezer so we can freeze stuff too, we can live like normal people and not like people below the poverty line. I can now buy my children the clothes the need, even if they are from charity shops, at least they'll be clean and in good condition. i can afford to buy razors now, to shave my legs, which would put Steve Guttenberg's to shame (you know, the guy in Short Circuit, police academy, cocoon etc)
I can start to look like a lady again, and feel like one too. I may even be able to pamper myself as soon as we have some money saved.
And you know what? this experience has given myself and sunbird something to strive for, to help people like us in the same situation. Our social worker has been so brilliant that i think I may even want to train as one - even though she told us a few days ago that a client set their dogs on her (???) when she was trying to help them.
I cannot stress how important it is to donate to charities. The charities which helped us were The Edinburgh Furniture Initiative, Edinburgh clothing and Bedding place (in the west end in the basement of a church), C.H.A.I., and the Bethany Shop. These charities work to help people in this country, people in need, people who are on a low income, have no credit rating, and are in desperate need, maybe their house had burned down and everything they owned was destroyed and these charities can help them. They helped us so much, Sunbird will be volunteering for one of them. When we're back on our feet and we upgrade our belongings, the items donated to us will be donated back to the charities. In fact, anything we don't need in the future will be donated as we would have nothing if it wasn't for these charities.
I suggest everybody looks up local charities that work for local people, and focus on these, because most people focus on different countries, forgetting the fact that there are people in this country that need stuff too. These charities can usually only donate things to you under refferal of a social worker, also, social services in your area can let you know about which charities work in your area.
Spare toiletries, cleaning things like surface cleaner, dish clothes, sponges, tea towels, teapots, old crockery and cutlery, irons and ironing boards etc, are all donatable items, not just the odd coffee table and ancient microwave.
Keeping things in circulation in your local area will improve your communities quality of life.
Remember, one person's fight can turn into a community's campaign, and can overturn the system.
Stay strong, stay united, fight on!
EDITED_BY: TinklePants (1174739849)
PK- Our internet connection is via my pay as you go mobile phone which we use as a modem. With orange, you buy a £1 unlimited internet access package which lasts till midnight on the day you purchase it, which we've used since i moved from inverness 7 months ago. We are NOT online every day, in fact, until last week, i myself hadn't used the internet for around about two weeks. my birthday was last week, so my father topped me up as a birthday surprise. Also, libraries give FREE access. We couldn't afford busfares to get to the jobcentre, let alone get to a job interview. We've gone WITHOUT MEALS on most days so the kids can eat. And lost weight too. When you have no money coming in you cannot go shopping for food or new clothes. ( I'm kind of tired of having to say the same thing because lazy people don't read all of every post myself and sunbird have made, which is rather insulting.)
It's funny, whoever we tell our story to, there is always a person who assumes we're just scrounging - when in fact, we are incredibly unhappy and stressed at the fact WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THE NEXT MEAL WAS COMING FROM. I had to use my birthday money i had of family to use to pay for gas, milk, school dinners etc... Ever been stressed enough to shave your hair off? your trademark hair??? Sunbird did just that!
Anyway, Our situation vastly increased yesterday. We had a fridge donated and a double bed, so we can finally sleep on a proper mattress and we can keep milk for over 8 hrs without having to pop out for an extra pint.
Then, later yesterday afternoon, after putting down the carpet and picking up steph from school, we walked down to the jobcentre in leith (3 miles) and we get the brilliant news that someone's miraculously sorted out our tax benefit, though we're still waiting to hear about our JSA, (were promised to hear something by the middle of next week) so now we have money coming in again, we can afford bus fares to get to the jobcentre to look for work, we can afford washing powder and shampoo now so i don't have to wash hair in value 19p soap, and i don't have to handwash our clothes it the same soap. I still have to handwash our clothes until we can buy a washing machine.
We can now send steph to school with a packed lunch, we can keep dairy products finally for the first time in four weeks, we have a fridge freezer so we can freeze stuff too, we can live like normal people and not like people below the poverty line. I can now buy my children the clothes the need, even if they are from charity shops, at least they'll be clean and in good condition. i can afford to buy razors now, to shave my legs, which would put Steve Guttenberg's to shame (you know, the guy in Short Circuit, police academy, cocoon etc)
I can start to look like a lady again, and feel like one too. I may even be able to pamper myself as soon as we have some money saved.
And you know what? this experience has given myself and sunbird something to strive for, to help people like us in the same situation. Our social worker has been so brilliant that i think I may even want to train as one - even though she told us a few days ago that a client set their dogs on her (???) when she was trying to help them.
I cannot stress how important it is to donate to charities. The charities which helped us were The Edinburgh Furniture Initiative, Edinburgh clothing and Bedding place (in the west end in the basement of a church), C.H.A.I., and the Bethany Shop. These charities work to help people in this country, people in need, people who are on a low income, have no credit rating, and are in desperate need, maybe their house had burned down and everything they owned was destroyed and these charities can help them. They helped us so much, Sunbird will be volunteering for one of them. When we're back on our feet and we upgrade our belongings, the items donated to us will be donated back to the charities. In fact, anything we don't need in the future will be donated as we would have nothing if it wasn't for these charities.
I suggest everybody looks up local charities that work for local people, and focus on these, because most people focus on different countries, forgetting the fact that there are people in this country that need stuff too. These charities can usually only donate things to you under refferal of a social worker, also, social services in your area can let you know about which charities work in your area.
Spare toiletries, cleaning things like surface cleaner, dish clothes, sponges, tea towels, teapots, old crockery and cutlery, irons and ironing boards etc, are all donatable items, not just the odd coffee table and ancient microwave.
Keeping things in circulation in your local area will improve your communities quality of life.
Remember, one person's fight can turn into a community's campaign, and can overturn the system.
Stay strong, stay united, fight on!
EDITED_BY: TinklePants (1174739849)
Always use "so's your face" and "only on Tuesdays" in as many conversations possible
SILVER Member
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
old hand
722 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
Besides PK, we have to use the internet to look for jobs! I find it insulting that you are basically caling us scroungers that don't care about the kids where in fact I've lost two stone in weight by skipping meals so they can eat. Do yourself a favour and read the entire post.
Besides PK, we have to use the internet to look for jobs! I find it insulting that you are basically caling us scroungers that don't care about the kids where in fact I've lost two stone in weight by skipping meals so they can eat. Do yourself a favour and read the entire post.
To you who has been accessing my online accounts, changing my login details, locations and posting about me, realise, you are not worth revenge, you are not worth my attention, you are nothing, and that is all you ever will be.
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
I read the entire thread before i made my post.
I can EAT for a POUND!!!! I'd rather EAT than go on the INTERNET.
So before insulting me and telling me the lay of the land, I know how the systems work, I know what it's like to not have money and be in debt up till your eyeballs are filling with tears because you owe so much money and you don't know where your next meal is coming from, or can not find a job.
I know what it is like to have to PROVIDE for a child too, MY SON COMES FIRST before me and the last thing that I would be doing is wasting my time on an internet FORUM bitching about how crap life is weasting a POUND when you could spend a pound and look for a job so you don't have to bitch any more about things.
Some people just make me sick!... I didn't call you a scrounger I made a simple observation yes an observation as every one else gave the sympathetic approach, the hugs... so now I'm the evil **** that's against you both and so on...
well I couldn't give two ***!!! If you need your life sorting out then get the
off your arse and sort it out... I did. It isn't like it is hard work or any thing, or that you don't have the time to do so, or does bitching on here take all of your time up.
Awaits blatant abusive responses to the above*
EDITED_BY: georgemc (1174859222)
I read the entire thread before i made my post.
I can EAT for a POUND!!!! I'd rather EAT than go on the INTERNET.
So before insulting me and telling me the lay of the land, I know how the systems work, I know what it's like to not have money and be in debt up till your eyeballs are filling with tears because you owe so much money and you don't know where your next meal is coming from, or can not find a job.
I know what it is like to have to PROVIDE for a child too, MY SON COMES FIRST before me and the last thing that I would be doing is wasting my time on an internet FORUM bitching about how crap life is weasting a POUND when you could spend a pound and look for a job so you don't have to bitch any more about things.
Some people just make me sick!... I didn't call you a scrounger I made a simple observation yes an observation as every one else gave the sympathetic approach, the hugs... so now I'm the evil **** that's against you both and so on...
well I couldn't give two ***!!! If you need your life sorting out then get the
off your arse and sort it out... I did. It isn't like it is hard work or any thing, or that you don't have the time to do so, or does bitching on here take all of your time up.Awaits blatant abusive responses to the above*
EDITED_BY: georgemc (1174859222)
BRONZE Member
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Lambretta Fanatic
4,998 posts
Location: United Kingdom
Posted:
My "high Horse"... is that some kind of child's toy? why do you always have a comment against me do you have some personal problem against me, because it is becoming to seem that way to me.
Edit* this is not only from this thread that I'm posting this message, but from several over the last months.
EDITED_BY: PK_ (1174774644)
Written by: raveheadWritten by: PK_
... no money??
you have regular internet access though!
Yeah I looked for work once in Edinburgh... I was that desperate I took on 6 News Paper Delivery rounds
If your down and out you should be able to do any thing when and if you put your mind to it.
Just my thoughts or observation, I don't mean to sound harsh... but, the no money blag doesn't work when your paying for internet... either that or some one is letting you post for free.
ever thought they could be using the free internet access from a public library before you get on your high horse???
My "high Horse"... is that some kind of child's toy?
why do you always have a comment against me do you have some personal problem against me, because it is becoming to seem that way to me.Edit* this is not only from this thread that I'm posting this message, but from several over the last months.
EDITED_BY: PK_ (1174774644)
SILVER Member
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
what goes around comes around. unless you're into stalls.
4,030 posts
Location: Bali, Australia
Posted:
I am so relieved to read that things are turning round for you, Tink,and SUnbird.
I am so relieved to read that things are turning round for you, Tink,and SUnbird.
.....Can't juggle balls but I sure as hell can juggle details....
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