Please Help: Good morning. I hope that today finds... - LUPUS UK

LUPUS UK

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Please Help

MandieR profile image
8 Replies

Good morning. I hope that today finds you and your family safe and happy. I wonder if I am able to apply for some financial help again. I know I have applied and been successful before and am not even sure if you can reapply. But I honestly have nothing to lose. I am struggling big time. Relying on food parcels, been in isolation cannot work, cannot pay my Bill's, missed out on the £140 heating allowance due to universal credit error and feel I'm at my wits end. If there is any chance I could be considered again I would be more grateful than you know.

Kind regards

Mandie

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MandieR profile image
MandieR
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8 Replies
CecilyParsley profile image
CecilyParsley

Hi Mandie, firstly can I say that I am so very, very sorry that you are in such a dreadful position. I have been there too and it is soul destroying and terrifying. If you have children, your local Social Services can issue you vouchers for a supermarket and may be able to set up some presents from charities and donations. You can apply for a hardship payment as an emergency from Universal Credit.Universal Credit hardship payments are paid at 60% of your usual UC payment. If your reason for applying for a hardship payment is particularly severe, you could get up to 80% of your normal payments. Circumstances in which you might a higher payment could be because you or your partner is pregnant or seriously ill. Your local council may have a scheme to provide additional food and presents during this pandemic, so worth asking. I wish that I was in a position to help you. I know how financial worries colour your life and make illness so much worse. Hang in there it does get better. If you have debts please do not wait. If you contact Step Change on 0800138111. They will go through your finances and write to any creditors asking them to stop any interest charges or actions against you so it will stop the endless phone calls and demand letters and ensure that essential services are not cut off for you. Social Services may also be able to provide top up cards for electricity and gas if you are on a metre.

I hope some of this is helpful to you. I know how hard it is to ask for help but you need and deserve it. Good luck xx

MandieR profile image
MandieR in reply to CecilyParsley

Wow! Cecily, what a lovely message, thank you so much.I do have 2 children, but they are both grown up now, thank fully in a way as I can keep most things from them. I have asked the Universal Credit people for a loan as both my cooker and my washer gave up but they said I was not entitled to anything. I will try the hardship payment though. So fingers crossed. They just make you feel like a beggar most of the time. When things started to get tough and my husband and I separated, I got myself into an IVA, which has lessened my monthly outgoings but not enough to allow me to breath more easily. I have to buy numerous vitamins and supplements monthly to boost my system, which I cannot afford now after this month, I have needed new glasses since October but I cannot afford them either. It's all just 😭😭.

Going back to the help available to me (sorry if I sound stupid) does it mean that I am not able to apply for the help from our group a 2nd time?

Thank you so much for your kind words.

Happy Christmas

Mandie xx

CecilyParsley profile image
CecilyParsley in reply to MandieR

Hi Mandie, as a vulnerable adult, please contact your local Social Services Adult Team for an assessment. They will be in the very best position to direct you to any schemes or support that you are entitled to before Christmas. I sincerely hope that you can get the help you need, I know what it feels like to have nothing and how difficult it is to ask for support. Good luck xx

MandieR profile image
MandieR in reply to CecilyParsley

Thank you again, Cecily. Your understanding means more than you know. I'm also very sad to hear that it sounds like you have been through very similar things. I've been in far worse than this, believe me. Being homeless with a 3 year old in order to flee an abusive and violent marriage. So, this is not even close, but I'm older now and in poor health. X

CecilyParsley profile image
CecilyParsley in reply to MandieR

Bless you my lovely Mam and I were homeless when I was little for a short while until my Nan took us in. I was too young to understand but my Mam was so sick with grief about it . You have done so well to get out and build your life back from scratch. It is not your fault that life has been so unkind and now you have a double whammy of ill health and the virus. Having been a social worker for 23 years I found it very hard to ask for help but the relief was massive. I now have handrails, poles, shower seats, a riser recliner, raised toilet seats, a lifting cushion for when I fall over and best of all a care 9 hours a week. Thee are good people out there who will only be too pleased to help you. Just reach out. Xx

Kevin53 profile image
Kevin53

Dear Mandie

You can apply to the following for help:

lupusuk.org.uk/covid19-assi...

Next applications will be considered week commencing 4th January 2021.

Best wishes

Kevin

MandieR profile image
MandieR in reply to Kevin53

Hi Kevin. Thank you for that information. I will definately try then. Wishing you and yours a very safe and happy Christmas

MandieR profile image
MandieR in reply to Kevin53

Afternoon, Kevin. Hope you and yours had a good Christmas. I have been very embarrassed about applying again, but to be honest, I have no choice. I'm sending it in tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for me 🙏🤞

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