dancinfeet Tue 14-Nov-17 14:45:40

first time was as a student. No student loan available due to the type of course I was on. One time there was a delay and my part time job wages weren't paid into the bank on time and I had to wait for head office to sort them out, which took 3/4 days. Being so hard up that weekend, and having to face the shame of the queue in the bank when I went in and asked to draw out my last 50p over the counter to buy a loaf of bread and a few tins of beans to last the weekend. (back in the 90s when you could make 50p stretch to a loaf and couple of tins from Aldi).



Second time nine years ago when I lost my business in the recession. A 8 week wait for benefits to be processed as I had to prove paperwork wise that my business had been steadily making a loss, and that I hadn't closed it fraudulently to claim benefits. That time I had to go cap in hand to my ex husband for some money to feed the children which he did, though barely enough for 1 weekly shop which I had to stretch over 8 weeks . And the school shamed me (by the teacher mentioning it loudly at collection time in front of everyone) for sending jam sandwiches in their pack ups / not healthy food (because that was all I had in at the time), and the bread slices had holes in where I had picked the mouldy bits off, but it was that or the kids didn't eat. No food bank in my town at the time. Couldn't get free school meals until benefits claim went through. My daughter's tenth birthday came and went with no card or present from me, and barely any food in the cupboard. What made it worse was that her dad and rest of family planned to give her gifts when they saw her later that week, so she got up on her birthday morning to no cards or presents. Most horrible time of my life. Though I did make it up to her later on in the year when I was back working, but it still didn't make up for the sadness we felt that day. She put such on a brave face and went off to school and I sat at the kitchen table and cried my heart out for her. I know that there are people in far worse situations though, and I am thankful for all we do have now, which isn't a massive amount, but I am just about paying the bills and keeping a roof over our heads.



OP - I am sorry that things are tough right now, and I hope that things get better for you soon xx