Sonita's Story

"Currently I am a full time college student studying social sciences to gain access to university. The reason I need to use the Foodbank was because my claim for Employment Support Allowance was cancelled with no thought from the Department of Work and Pensions on how I would survive. I do not meet the criteria for other benefits due to my age and my college course. 

As I suffer from depression I have also become estranged from my father, meaning I have nobody to support me."

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

Sarah's Story

"Due to circumstances over the last few months I have found myself in debt.  I am struggling to pay bedroom tax and am now in arrears and have to go to court.  It has been a case of either heating the house or eating.

I would be happy to move to a smaller property but there is nothing available so have to remain in the property but cant afford the bedroom tax and now face being evicted.

The situation is affecting my health and increased my depression,  I have disabilities that affect my mobility but cannot go into any sheltered accommodation until I'm 55 years of age."

Thank you Sarah for sharing your story with us at West Cheshire Foodbank.

Luke's Story

"Luke was on Disability Living Allowance. This changed to Personal Independence Payment and the lady that assessed Luke said that it would only take a week to 10 days for the change. 10 months later he was still waiting.  

Luke only receives £72 a fortnight from Employment and Support Allowance.  He has depression and cancer and has been in and out of hospital.  Both SA and DIAL house has been involved to try and chase this situation up but Luke keeps being told it is being dealt with."

Thanks Luke for sharing your story with West Cheshire Foodbank.

Anthony's Story

"I live with my wife and 17 year old step son.  We have an older step son in work who technically lives with us, but who spends most of his time with his girlfriend.  I have been on incapacity benefit with depression for 7 years.  I missed a medical appointment in January. I had written it in my diary incorrectly and went in on the wrong day.  Because of this my benefits have been stopped.  I have to appeal against this.  I missed an appointment last year so now they have deemed me fit to work. My son is still dependent as he is currently at college studying.  My wife also has depression."

Thank you for sharing your story with West Cheshire Foodbank.

Tony's Story

"My immediate situation is I am being moved from JSA to ESA, which led to a delay in my benefits. I was anyway in debt for my bills. I have been signed off for depression and anxiety, and I lost my job in March. Also, I was caught speeding and received three points on my licence which will lead to more costs. There have been life events that may have led to my anxiety and depression and not helped when I needed to get my situation sorted out."

Our thanks to Tony for sharing his story with us.

Harriet's Story

"For several months I have been forced into debt by the bedroom tax being demanded to pay £13 a month that I don't have. The council housed me and my daughter (aged 4) in this 3 bedroom flat as I was homeless and fled domestic violence. I have asked them to downsize me and they refuse which is causing my debt to increase by £60 a month. This is causing me to be depressed and left feeling trapped. They are now taking me to court to remove me from my home. I don't have family around to fall back on. If I lose my home we will have nothing. I am at college trying to better my life and make a better future for my daughter. The better I do the more something happens to knock me back down. If they moved me and helped I wouldn't be forced into debt and I could deal with my personal issues then i.e. no family and the loss of a child and maybe I would feel more settled. I feel like everything is slipping through my fingers and my life is just bad and unhappy."

We cannot thank Harriet enough for sharing her experiences with us.

Jane's Story

"Due to problems with my depression, I wasn't able to attend the work related group for ESA. My money then stopped to be what they were and is now £28.00 (more or less). It is of course causing me problems paying bills, even though I am receiving DLA. I went to [Name of Voucher Holding Organisation] to ask for help to reinstate the money and they offered me the voucher." 

Thank you so much for sharing your story with us Jane.