Please tell us why you needed emergency food today and say what caused your crisis:
The reason I am in this situation is because my husband has left me. We were on a joint working tax credit claim but when I called to let them know they said I had to apply for Universal Credit.
They cancelled my tax credits claim and my housing benefits claim leaving me with ÂŁ111 over-payment to pay back.
It took over an hour to complete the complex and degrading online forms and identify proof for UC and I then had to have an interview. Due to me being self-employed I was unable to get any advice or support at this meeting as the lady wasn’t training in that. I now have to attend another two weeks later. In the mean time I have very little income.
I’m self employed so have rent for work to pay and don’t always make a profit at the end of the week. I get £34 child benefit weekly yet I won’t get a single penny of UC for at least 5 weeks. I have childcare to pay for 3 children, rent and bills to pay and food travel etc. UC has provided me with an advanced payment however the maximum amount available isn’t even enough to pay my childcare for the period let alone anything else.
The whole process has proved very difficult for me on top of the stress of becoming a single parent very suddenly. I suffer with a mental health condition and all this unnecessary stress has made me struggle so much more.
I nearly didn’t come to the foodbank due to the stigma associated with them – that they aren’t for people “like me” who work etc however I have no choice due to the situation I am in through no fault of my own.
Thank you to Grace for sharing her story.