Hi, thank you for the big question of the week. I say, invade pretty Council which they provide all sorts of what. Phoned, although they found this time around is just informally without Chaya, no cash. And it was totally reduced which wasn't even enough for me and the family. So I don't know what's happening around.

And that and apart from that, I think there should be a universal space where we can get all information because I don't really get information. I don't know what that place is to apply for Grant from. I don't know what to do next. I don't know where to go through and about the also found I found out from a friend, not not like there is a centralised place I can get.

It's from in my for my castle. So I think that needs to be done and more grants should be hard for people to be able to apply with because the cost of living is not going down, I don't think it's going down anytime soon and the money available is not even enough for the family. Thank you. Bye.

I haven’t actually applied for help from the council, even though there have been times I really needed support. As an asylum seeker, I just assumed I wouldn’t be eligible. Everything is so complicated when you’re in the system, there’s not much clear information, and you’re always worried about doing something wrong that might affect your case.

I’ve mostly relied on local charities and community groups when I’ve needed things like clothes or food. One time, my phone broke and I couldn’t afford to replace it, which made everything harder, especially staying in touch with my solicitor. Someone from a refugee support group helped me get a second-hand one, but I don’t think I would’ve managed on my own.

I tried to apply, but the process was quite confusing. A lot of the information seemed to be aimed at people who already have settled status or are on certain benefits. I wasn’t sure if I was eligible, and it was hard to get a clear answer. I didn’t have all the documents they asked for, and I didn’t always understand the system. I ended up not getting the help in the end, which was really discouraging.

Not at all, I am not aware of any help from the local council.

I have previously looked for help from the council. From applying for social housing to asking for discretionary housing payments and more. I have found difficulties with this. Last year I was removed from the social housing list after having been on it for 10 years. This was because they had asked for some paperwork and I did not submit it on time because they did not give me a notification of time. During the pandemic my claim for discretionary housing payments took 8 months and by then I was in severe debt. Overall, dealing with the council has been stressful and frustrating.

I have just read the post from another participant saying how a couple of Easter eggs is now a luxury for many families. It is so true and not just Easter, but all celebrations or occasions are beyond the financial limits for those living on a low income. Since the pandemic which was followed by the cost of living crisis that many people seem to think is over prices of everyday goods and essentials have risen to a point that is now not possible for those living on a low income, this includes basic foods, toiletries and cleaning items before you even think about clothes and utility bills that is is not possible to live without. On top of this we now have a government that has made a decision to cut benefits and support for millions of people including the sick and disabled leaving even more low income families in the face of destitution. I myself have struggled for years as a single parent living in poverty, struggling to meet the daily needs of my family. I am now at a point where I am frightened and cautious about spending a single penny on anything that we could possibly do without due to fear of what is ahead if I lose any of the income I currently receive. Any cut or reduction in my disability payments will have a serious and lasting effect on the ability and the prospect of me being able to survive in a meaningful way. How has it been allowed to happen that in a modern world we are all encouraged to believe that we are equal, have free speech and human rights, but when it comes to those claiming benefits or those who are unable to work due to disability or ill health these rules do not count ?.

I got my wages yesterday from my main job to discover they were £200 down.

I queried with payroll and they said my tax code had been changed and I now had to pay more tax.

I felt devastated at first as I do two jobs in order to pay everything and also to prepare for house move I have to do in 2 years time.

It appears now if you have a second job and earn over amount the tax is increased. I now need to actually look into if working all these hours is even beneficial or I am just lining the taxman's pocket.

I have reduced my spending considerably and even given up the few hobbies I did have that cost money.

Hey

It was a cold day today, we went out but we enjoyed the 🥶 in town

Is very good if u have help at work is so Wonderful stress free 😊

Good employment support looks like you get the right help to get the kind of job you are looking to get if you have got a degree and would like a degree level job then you get the correct support to get that correct job. With the right wages, salary and opportunity for you. Not being forced to do a job that isnt right for you and effects your physical and mental health in a bad way and if you are looking for a part-time job due to kids then you get that support for a part time job. This is all done within a short period of time and the benefits you get whilst doing this allows you to live a good quality of life. If you are studying and looking to get into work then the employment support available should get you into work and not going to job centres putting that right pressure on colleges and universities. Once you have got the right employment support you will not ever need it ever again.

They don’t take into consideration individual circumstances. All they want is to push people into employment and start earning they don’t care the impact it has on your well being or that of your family. We want meaningful employment that enables people and their families to thrive

Long time before I visited to the Job Centre to get print out of various job vacancies. But never accessed to any of their support as was complicated. Now, wanted job centre should match the advertised job with customers health conditions. Alternatively Job Centre can request for suitable adjustment for the job seekers with health conditions to the prospective employers in order to get back the unemployment person to work.