Stuart's story

" Couple with one child - 12 months old. I am unemployed but hoping to start weekend work in security after I have done a course from 21 - 24 January. I am also looking for work as a scaffolder.
Sarah is full time child carer receiving income support & waiting for child tax credit."

Thank you to Stuart for sharing his experience.

Mary's Story

"My internet provider was TalkTalk and I had to change my passcode after it was hacked. I am receiving Income Support and Child Tax Credit and when I telephoned to inform the Benefits Agency they told me that I had notified them too late and that my benefits would be late and that this would cause an overpayment which will have to be repaid."

Thank you for sharing this with us Mary.

Gemma's Story

"On the 5th October I was notified that my Child Tax Credits would stop. I would usually get £52 per week on a Monday which I would use to buy groceries and pay bills. I am an unemployed single parent of a 4 and a half year old child so I rely on this money and live week to week. HMRC claim I did not renew my tax credit claim on time, which I dispute and therefore making a 'late renewal' means I now have to wait at least two weeks for any payments. I have all correspondence from HMRC which confirms that I did everything I should within the time limits."

Thank you so much to Gemma for sharing her circumstances with us.

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.

Jessica's Story

"We're paying pack a loan from the DWP of £48 a fortnight and we are struggling. I had to come here [Foodbank] today because of that and on top of this our Child Tax Credits have stopped. They said I hadn't got in touch with them, but I had. My 17 year old son is at college. My husband has Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and I have Diabetes and we can't go without heating and hot water, so we spent all our money on gas and electric and then we had nothing left for food. Many thanks for having this place open, we would be without food for another week if this place wasn't here." 

Our thanks to Jessica, who shared this while visiting one of our Foodbank centres.