In a moment of madness (I have a recurring mental illness), I rang the benefits agency and told them (incorrectly) that I had received a lump sum which I had given away a number of years ago - what actually happened was that the money went to someone else but it had been offered to me and I hadn't accepted it. Since the 1st of January they stopped all benefits whilst they decided they would investigate what had happened. They stopped the benefits retrospectively - I did not find out until a couple of weeks later when I received a letter from them. So, now we are in February and my rent is not being paid and I understand that I can not apply for a crisis loan whilst they investigate me. It looks as if this situation could go on for some time. I have been to a drop-in in my local town where they have started to correspond with the benefits agency and local council - and it seems that there is nothing anyone can do about getting me a loan to manage. The only help that seems to be available is a bag of food each week - but it is not enough to last more than a few days. Does anyone know of anywhere where I can get financial assistance to pay for food? I don't think that I can last more than another week.

Thanks for your reply. I shall look at rethinks guide. Do you know where I would find a well informed disability advisor who is experienced with ATOS forms? I know that Mind have advocates, but I don't know of anyone available with that kind of expertise for mental health.

Thanks very much for your replies. I am scared to just cancel my DD without finding out a bit more about how I can dispute owing the total figure they say because I don't want to wreck my credit rating, although I may not have much choice in the near future. I don't know what CISAS is? Are they an organisation that would be able help?

I have just received a form to fill in from ATOS for my migration from income support to ESA. Please can someone recommend any websites or information about how best to make points relevant to mental illness on the form ?? Also, is there a list on a website somewhere of how they score points from this form so that you can get an idea of where you stand? I have had a look at the form and am finding it overwhelming. Thanks for any help.

Thanks for your replies. Apparently they would charge me the price of the full contract BEFORE the discount that they gave me - which is i think £30.99 per month, which explains why it is so high. If I breach the contract, can I stop the direct debits from my bank?? I thought that I wouldn't be able to do this because they have my bank details??

A while back I signed up what I thought was a good deal with Virgin for a HTC Sensation for £17.99 per month. I didn't realise that when I signed up, if I cancelled at any time that I would be committed to pay the whole term of the contract which they have just informed me is £464. I'm now in real financial difficulties due to unemployment and I explained my situation to them over the phone, but they said that there's nothing they can do because they said I had already had a loyalty discount on the existing contract. They will not allow me to cancel without paying the £464 in full. Does anyone know of any way I can get of this situation?

I'm a bit confused. I'm migrating from incapacity related income support to ESA and am due to have an assessment soon about my fitness to work. If I fail the medical, then what happens next? Does a person get put on jobseekers straight away - or are they put into the WRAG (which I think is a higher benefit)? If they get put into the WRAG, then are they expected to get full-time work and how long are they able to claim WRAG before having to get a job? Also, if I appeal to be put into the support group, how long does it normally take to process the appeal and what happens to your benefits while its happening? Thanks for any help.

I'm sorry - I should have clarified. I know that soon the bedroom tax will be coming in. I do not know if I will be able to stay in a two-bedroomed property while my son is at university. Although his original home will be with me, I don't know if for the purposes of benefits they will regard his university accommodation as his main address.

Hi, can anyone advise me if you are able to continue claiming for housing benefit for a child's bedroom while the child is a university student? - They will be in university accommodation during term time but returning home during the holidays. Thanks.