No more money

A question about : No more money

My situation is this:

I have gambled myself into debt, owing 11000 GBP in total.

I am currently on a Debt Management Plan with the CCCS but blew my September wages on the Bank Holiday Weekend in August.

Last week, I have self-excluded myself from online gambling and all betting shops (in the area where I work and the place where I live), thus eliminating the threat of my debt situation getting even worse !

I have been informed that I should contact the DWP to ask for help with the next four weeks' rent which I owe to my landlord and also ask them for money for food.

I was informed by the person at the DWP's switchboard that I have to contact the Living Expenses office but when I finally got through to them today I was told that there was nothing they could do for me.

I do not wish to contact them again as they seem to be wasting my time and was wondering whether you guys know who I can turn to now as this is really urgent ?

Best answers:

• https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/ to help you got through getting help instead of doing ti alone.
  https://www.samaritans.org/ explaint to them that due to you situ, you have no food or electricity, they may give you a food parcel and continuing support for as long as you need it.
• I believe Op works judging by this
  Last week, I have self-excluded myself from online gambling and all betting shops (in the area where I work and the place where I live)
  Op needs help with gambling addiction but not sure why he thinks DWP could help. I assume you asked friends, family etc for a loan
• First of all , thanks to all of you who responded.
  Yes, I do work full-time and having spoken to the DWP today, it appears, I cannot expect any help at all. I really don't fancy calling them again as it takes ages to get through to them (I have been trying since last Thurday) !
  Battling my gambling addiction is only the long-term solution and I am dealing with that already, in fact, I have already had my assessment session at "GamCare".
  This is about short-term, i.e., I have four weeks rent to pay and need money for food and utilities. I have already turned to friends and family, so all these channels have been exhausted.
• the DWP can refuse you to a crisis loan if they believe that the curcumstances that put you in that situation was self inflictid and likely to happen in the near future.
  family and friends will be reluctant to help because they fear youll gamble the money instead of putting it to good use to help you out.
  salvation army, and other links posted should help you get through the next few days.
  unfortunately, there is no aid to getting your rent paid, or there is none im aware of.
  if your on a low incame perhaps you could seek to claim LHA or housing benefit to top you up and get it paid directly to landlord? i also believe it would benefit you to see a debt advisor through CAB aswell, they will aslo look at yoiur income outgoings and advise the best course of action to take and you get to see someone in the flesh.
• I'd suggest that you sell as much as you can on Ebay or similar.
• I second Dunroamin's advice - what assets do you own that you could sell?
• Hi Ladbroke, thank you for your query regarding no more money
  Firstly let me say that you are doing the right thing by getting help from a gambling help organisation and self-excluding yourself from gambling shops and online gambling and also getting assistance with your debts from CCCS. Regarding the DWP help, the only help you could apply for would be a Crisis Loan and they will not help with rent payments. The help is discretionary and only given to people who suffer a emergency or disaster and it is unlikely your circumstances would apply. I would suggest you contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau who may be able to help get you a food parcel and negotiate a repayment arrangement for your rent and also complete a benefit check to see if you may be entitled to help from working tax credits or housing benefit/council tax benefits. You can find your local Citizens Advice Bureau at www.citizensadvice.org.uk.
  Hope this is of assistance.
• ...everyone !
  I have now solved the problem.
  Not that I do like my company but "beggars can't be choosers" and having discussed my situation in detail with our MD I have been granted a loan of Ј500 (meaning I will survive - just !) which is repayable over ten months !
  Lucky me...