Kate's story

"Was on ESA. Became fitter & was put on Universal Credit. Didn't realise tax credits, housing benefit & council tax benefit would stop. Last payment New Year's Eve apart from £70.00 advanced payment last week. Has 4 children aged from 9 - 16. Not due to get full payment until February & can't have further advance payment. School meals have been stopped along with other benefits."

Thank you to Kate for sharing her experience, and to the volunteer who listened and recorded it on her behalf.

Sue's story

Update of Sue's story:
"Since last sharing my story, I am now accessing food bank through the Extended Voucher Scheme. I am now awaiting appointment for operation & unable to work at all. I have been issued with a further sick note for 2 months & will need a further 2 months to recover after the operation. I am not receiving benefits, just statutory sick pay until 15th November- benefits due to start on 18th November - still won't be amount I was receiving whilst in work. Getting food from food bank makes a big difference. I would not be able to eat properly without food bank as I would want my Mum and daughter to eat before me."

Thank you to Sue for sharing her experiences with us.

Victoria's story

"Victoria's partner was previously on Income Support but has now been placed on Job Seekers' Allowance. Benefit Agency says he is fit for work but his doctor disagrees - has epilepsy."

Thank you to Victoria for sharing her experience, and thank you to the volunteer who listened and wrote it down on her behalf.

Harry's story

"I have been ill for over 10 years and on benefits, but apparently have not been receiving the correct benefits. My social worker and someone from the Benefits Agency are looking into my situation, but, at the moment, I'm having to pay out more than I'm receiving. It's going to take 12 weeks to sort things out. There is a court case due in 56 days."

Thank you to Harry for sharing his experience with us.

Grant's story

"Laid off from work in November 2013 was on JSA & housing benefit. Got 2 weeks' work early in 2014 & JSA stopped. He was unaware housing benefit had stopped as they had paid 1 week but 16 weeks weren't paid. Plus Dane sorted the restart of the housing benefit & some arrears but not all. Has still £1300 arrears, so made appointment with P3 to challenge these."

Thank you to Grant for sharing his experience, and thank you to the volunteer who listened and wrote down the story on his behalf.

Tanya's Story

"I am claiming Employment Support Allowance and put sick notes in and am waiting for payment. I didn't receive any money for 3 weeks, so rang them. They told me that the sick note was lost, so had to get another one. I put another sick note in. Again after 2 weeks I had still received no money so I rang them and was told my new sick note had been lost. I went into the Job Centre to make a statement, this also got misplaced.

Now finally after 5 weeks I hopefully should get paid, but it has been a struggle. I am lucky to have my family and to know about the Foodbank."

Thank you Tanya for sharing your story with West Cheshire Foodbank.   

Bill's Story

"I need help because I've had my benefit stopped. I didn't know about the Foodbank until a few days ago. When this had happened in the past I've turned towards crime. This time I didn't have to do that because of the help of the Foodbank.

Without this help today, I don't know how I'd get through the week. I can't thank you enough for the help and kindness that you have shown me."

Cheshire West Foodbank thank Bill for his story.

Racquel's Story

"My story started a month ago when I did some part time work, of which I notified the Department of Work and Pensions. The DWP got back to me via a letter saying I hadn't informed them and are therefore suspending my allowances.

That is why I needed emergency food today. The issue is still going on a month later."

Thank you Racquel for sharing your story with West Cheshire Foodbank

Kel's Story

"My family and I fully appreciate all the help and support the Wesley Methodist Church has given us. 

We are in a bad position financially through our benefits changing.  My partner is not ready to work, due to ill health.  I am also unwell and awaiting an operation.

Hopefully our benefits will be changed once our appeals have been looked at again".

West Cheshire Foodbank would like to thank Kel for sharing her story.

Tracey's Story

"Tracey was made redundant from full time work, just before having her first baby.  Her partner was employed but was also made redundant.  Apart from child and maternity benefit, they aren't claiming other benefits and will now lose working tax credits."

Foodbank would like to thank Tracey for her story.  

Perry's Story

"I have been told that I owe £17 000 in overpaid disability benefits.  I haven't had any money for ten days and I am waiting for an appeal in another ten days.  I just have to tell the truth.

I get quite down thinking about it.  I have been borrowing odd bits of money from my neighbours."

Thank you Perry for sharing your story with Foodbank.

John's Story

"Originally on incapacity benefit for 10 years.  On transfer to Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) I had a medical and was awarded 0 points by ATOS. I asked for a review but the decision was upheld. I appealed but the medical representative humiliated me.
I was given bad advice by Job Centre Plus that I could not claim other benefits.  I lived off savings for over a year and made a new claim for ESA and was granted basic rate.  My GP has always given me sick notes and am living in dread of another medical.  I have both physical and mental health issues.  I only get 25% single occupancy discount.  I feel like a corpse."

Thank you John for sharing your story with Foodbank.

Gerry's Story

"Gerry is 67 and has numerous debts.  He has rent arrears because of the 'bedroom tax' and he owes council tax and other debts.  Efforts are being made to resolve this.  Recently he was taken advantage of and his life savings were stolen, leaving him destitute.  The person who did this has been imprisoned. 

Gerry has cerebral atrophy, which has affected his memory so that he gets confused and forgetful.  He is being helped by social services."

Thank you Gerry for sharing your story.

Andrew's Story

"I've just signed on at the Job Centre and waiting for my appointment.  But they have left me for over two weeks with no money or support.  They have taken away the phones in the Job Centre as well, which makes life very difficult to contact them when I have no family or anyone.

They have cut people off with basic service.  If it wasn't for Foodbank I would have no food and then I would of gone out to steal food if I had to.

Thank God for the Foodbank".

We would like to thank Andrew for his story.

Lyndsay's Story

"I am in need of the Foodbank today due to me not being eligible for income support anymore and have to change my claim over to Job Seekers Allowance."

Foodbank thanks Lyndsay for your story.

Sonja's Story

"I have five children in my family and don't know what I will do next time I need help as you are only allowed three.  There is no way I can afford things. 
My debts include council tax, housing benefit cap on of £20 per week, water rates and random loans for Christmas.  I have been recommended to get debt counselling."

Thank you Sonja for sharing your story with Foodbank.

Megan's Story

"My partner has just moved in with me and our benefits are being readjusted. This has taken three weeks so far. We have no benefits apart from child benefit for two children aged 7 and 5. Our new baby is due in July."

Thanks to Megan for sharing her story with us.

Amanda's Story

"Amanda has recently split from a 19 year relationship. Her partner was in full time work. Went to housing benefit to claim council tax and housing benefit and was told to claim online. Amanda can't operate a computer but a friend helped her. She finds it difficult to understand forms. Would have been happier to fill in a paper form but was not given this choice. The jobcentre rang to confirm what she had entered online and asked her to go for interview. She was told she should leave her 12 and 10 year old children alone whilst she went to work. Understandably, she won't do this. Gone to doctor and has sick note for two weeks. No compassion shown for her situation - she understands that the government say women have to work but her whole world has just been turned upside down. Told she was fit to work 16hrs a week which would increase when children back at school. Will not leave her children alone all day."

Our thanks to Amanda for sharing her story with us and to the volunteer who took these notes on her behalf.

Luke's Story

"I am 62 years old; I spent the last 2 years in Spain, but the Spanish economy went into reverse and I had no choice but to return to the UK. This government passed a law on 01.01.2014 to make themselves look good by clamping down hard on immigration. I have been told I am not entitled to any benefits - JSA, ESA, Pension Credits - until I have been back in the UK for 3 months (i.e. 16/07/2014). There has been no offer of any financial help whatsoever interim. I have been surviving, just on food given to me at the Foodbank, and the charity meals from various Christian churches in the [local] area.

Without these charitable donations I would just have to go hungry! I am staying at [a local] hostel that operates a 'safe seat' policy - meaning I am entitled only to an upright armchair, not a bed, and I am not guaranteed that. I've spent some time on the streets as my 'safe seat' accommodation has been over subscribed! It is a horrible existence for a man of my age, and a true indictment of government policy."

We really appreciate the fact that Luke has shared his story with us. Thank you Luke.

Maria's Story

"Marital breakdown leading to reduced household income. Stopping of carer money for daughter reduced income due to rejected claim. Both daughters in full time education. Tax credits/ carer / child benefits stopped when daughter reached 20 even though she is still in full time education. Job seekers money and child maintenance funding debts and bills, but no money left for food. I am due to start a new job on Monday but it will be 3 weeks until I receive a wage."

Our thanks to Maria for sharing this with us. We know the past year has been incredibly difficult and we wish you all the best in your new job.