I've really had enough now, I have Welsh Water Bombarding me with messages wanting their money, my electric is about to run out, my gas has already run out, I get no more money until next week, I have to live from tins from the cupboard that I can eat cold, I don't know how much longer I can take this, gas electric and water are extortion, and not like I can get any help, there doesn't appear to be any in wales, I'm getting to the point where I'm gonna stop all my bills, I'm getting so frustrated, my bills are as low as they can go, but it doesn't help having a lack of transport, buses that don't show, and then having to use taxi's to go to appointments, I feel trapped, I'm isolating myself more and more, failing to turn up to appointments, because I can't get there, I don't have the energy any more
That sounds like a really, really horrible position to be in, and I'm sorry things are so difficult at the moment. I can very much relate to the worries about money and everything running out, and it's so overwhelming.
I don't know anything about how it works in Wales, and I'm sure you've already got everything you can sorted, but are there any other benefits or financial support that you might be entitled to while things are this tight?
Who are your appointments with? Is there any chance they'd be able to reimburse you the cost of the public transport/taxis, or give you free transport in order to get there, so that you can at least attend your appointments without worrying?
Take care - as awful as things are right now, you can get through it.
My appointments are with my counsellor at the drug and alcohol centre, gp for medication reviews etc, I have a bus pass, but our local bus service is so appalling, I've had no option on a few occasions but to get a taxi, they will not refund the taxi fare, as they say catch the bus, but where does that leave me when the bus is either very late, or fails to turn up? I don't seem to be able to win, so I sacrifice my counselling, and risk a severe drop in the state of my mental health or I put myself into financial hardship, and just barely scrape by, by the skin of my teeth, there are no other benefits I can claim, I'm currently on ESA, but I'm struggling I seem to have more outgoings than income, and the way some people in the local area have been bullying me isn't helping, already being called a scrounger, just because I'm not working at the moment, I've been assaulted in the street, had full cans of pop thrown at me etc, but I'm just expected to keep going. Thanks for your kind words, guess I'm just feeling overwhelmed by everything at the minute.
Can you ask the job centre about hardship payments? They will cover things like this where you need to pay bills but don't have the money.
Regarding the bus, it sounds awful that the service is so bad in your area. And I don't want to sound mean when I say this, but if the buses are frequently late then would getting to the bus stop earlier make any difference? I tend to get to my bus stop in time for the bus before the one I want in case it doesn't show.
Alternatively what about getting a cheap bicycle to ride to your appointments?
Isn’t it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different…
you once called your brain a hard drive, well say hello to the virus.
I'm sorry you're in such a horrible place right now. I can sympathise completely because I've been in a similar place while I was on ESA.
Have you looking into the water company's trust fund? I applied for them when I was on a low income and they paid off my debts. All the energy/water companies have them to help people who are in a hard place. A quick google search of your water company came up with this; http://www.dwrcymru.com/en/My-Accoun...ance-Fund.aspx. It might be worth looking into, it definitely helped me out.
As Sarah said above, could you go to the Job Centre and ask about hardship funds? They might also be able to suggest help with travelling costs for appointments.
x x x
♥It's the ups and downs of living life this way. Promise me you'll never go away. Just stay with me through one more night because it's always darkest before the light and now I promise you I'll never turn away. I won't let you give us one less heart to break...♥
The buses here are every 2 hours, so catching an earlier bus is impractical unfortunately, hardship payments cannot be used to cover water charges, however, Thank You Katie, I was not aware of the water company's trust fund, I'm not sure why I have not been made aware of it during discussions with C.A.B, welfare rights, or the Job centre, but that could be really helpful :)
The travel costs are not such a big deal, as my appointments can be missed on occasion, their not life and death, but I do prefer not to miss them, the times and days can be amended slightly to accommodate me, and the bus situation, I have made a complaint to one local bus company about their drivers skipping part of the route if their running late, and threatened to charge the taxi fares to them, so for the past few days the buses have been a touch better, I just hope it lasts :)
Thank you for the practical support guys, and your time to reply it is very much appreciated :) x
Well just an update, finally Welsh Water are off my back, I have electric, I borrowed some money from a friend, don't have gas, but plenty of blankets and the weather isn't that cold at the moment, so will manage without until I get money, Thursday, finally have had a few hot meals, thanks to a few close friends and family, so feeling much better :)
I have my nephew's birthday party tomorrow, so something positive to look forward to, I already got him a present & card, can't wait to see his face when he sees his present, it's a minion toy :)
Also means there's a huge buffet, so will not have to worry about anything, until Monday, and I go to Mind on Monday, and have food there, a proper hot meal and it's only £1.50, that only gives me Tuesday and Wednesday to get by, and I'm sure I'll sort that out :)
