£0 remaining for a living room carpet
Our client, J, was homeless and is now housed in a small flat. The living room has a bare concrete floor and they need a carpet for this, but are struggling to afford it. At the moment, they cannot work because they have mental health issues, and are having to manage on Personal Independence Payment and incapacity benefits. Having a decent carpet in the living room would make their flat feel much more like a home.
B is a single parent who has recently moved into a new property with his four year-old son. They are looking to make a new start together following dad recently securing custody of his son. B was previously housed in temporary accommodation by a charity that helps those at risk of homelessness. He is looking for work, as well as helping his son to settle into a new school. B's only income is Universal Credit and Child Benefit, and he needs some help with furnishing their home, a fridge being his priority.
M has been struggling with Long Covid for two years, as well as other serious health issues. Her fridge freezer has broken beyond repair and other recent problems mean that she has no savings left to replace it. She is on Employment and Support Allowance and Personal Independence Payment, and has a teenage daughter. Being without a fridge freezer is increasing M's anxiety about her situation, her health, her daughter's future and her finances. Getting a second-hand replacement for it would relieve some of her burdens.
We are working with a gentleman who has poor physical and mental health. He got behind on his rent payments, due to sanctions from Universal Credit which occurred because he missed an appointment when he was in hospital. We are supporting this gentleman to engage with Universal Credit and get his claim back on track. Currently he is without any income and worrying about the rent arrears, particularly as he is on a low income. This money would clear the rent arrears and top-up his Housing Benefit.