Worried I wont beable to go to work due to money!

[abernathie]

I was made redudent whilst on maternity leave and have been living on income support/housing for about 6 weeks now.

I got offered a full time job to start next week. Problem is they wont pay me till the end of March and my benefits have been "suspended" until they are reassesed. I have been advised this can be up to 4 weeks.

So in the mean time I am getting 60 a week to live on and have to find 140 a week for full time childcare until its all sorted.

I clearly cant afford this, along with rent and bills. I dont know what to do

I want to work but seems its impossible to do so due to money.

Any ideas where I can get help?

 

[wishingonastar]

I'd suggest crisis loan (each benefit claimant is allowed maximum of 2k but always ask for more than you need as they always give less than asked for!), credit card or short term loan (but not the kind from those extortionate payday lenders)

 

[abernathie]

They have refused a crisis loan on the grounds that I got income support (last payment) last week and they feel that is enough to live on. They dont take rent into account apparently

 

[2011butterfly]

Can you have a word with the childcare setting your LO is attending. If you explain your circumstances perhaps they could delay you paying until you get paid.

 

[xxembobxx]

Most childcare places ask for the money in advance.
If you are a lone parent then call the jobcentre and get an appointment with the lone parent advisor. They used to be able to help with the cost of childcare (sometimes they give a grant direct to the childcare provider for the first month) and they should be able to at least advise what you are supposed to do.
Unfortunately you usually need to be unemployed for 6 months before they help you get back into work. Madness really as you have a better chance of getting back into a job when you haven't been out of one for long.