Hi everyone, I am urgently looking for help/advice about whether or not I am eligible for a grant. I am currently on contribution based ESA and living in an emergency housing hostel and have been for the past month. Previously, I have been sofa surfing since January due to splitting with my partner. I have managed to find a property, the cost of which is Local Housing Allowance + £10 per week from my benefit. The problem is that because the place is unfurnished I have no money to buy bed, cooker, decorating, etc. I plan to have my 2 year old son at weekends but obviously can't if I am unable to furnish and decorate the place. I called into the local job centre and was told I wasn't eligible for any help because I am not on income related benefit. Any help/advice greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Hello I am hoping for a little help please Today I went to the shop and parked in a disabled bay (as usual) I didnt display the blue badges because they are usually on show but had been put away cause car had been cleaned. I came out of shop and man was putting a "parking charge" ticket was put on the car from these folks. I explained about badges and he said to appeal it will be fine, I have looked on the company website who don't even entertain appeals about blue badges. The charge is £65.00 and goes to £90.00 in two weeks if I dont pay. Is says in Part 5 on the back the following - ADMINISTRATION/LAWFUL ISSUE, this parking charge has been lawfully issued and the collection procedure will be processed in accordance with the administration of juctice act 1970. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS? The problem is I don't have £65.00 and I certainly don't have £90.00 but it says on the back that they will send it to a debt collection company and then may be to court. Any experience or ideas? Thanks

Has this been mentioned before? September deadline issued by Gov for claiming care home fees http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/bills/article-2134603/Act-claim-unfair-care-home-fees-Department-Health-sets-new-deadline.html

The OFT has secured court orders against Optimum Care Mobility Limited ('Optimum'), a Derbyshire-based business that sold mobility aids such as stairlifts, scooters and specialist chairs, across the country. The orders prevent the company and its former directors from using unfair and misleading sales practices again. http://www.oft.gov.uk/news-and-updates/press/2012/61-12

GOD AND LAWN CARE GOD: Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is Going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, Violets, milkweeds and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect No-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, Withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the Long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of Songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles. St. FRANCIS: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They Started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill Them and replace them with grass. They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each Spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops Up in the lawn. GOD: The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really Fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy. ST. FRANCIS: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut It-sometimes twice a week. GOD: They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay? ST. FRANCIS: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags. GOD: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it? ST. FRANCIS: No, sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away. GOD: Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away? ST. FRANCIS: Yes, Sir. GOD: These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on The rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves Them a lot of work. ST. FRANCIS: You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing So fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they Can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it. GOD: What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer Stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the Spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they Fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the Soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life. ST. FRANCIS: You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to Have them hauled away. GOD: No!? What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter To keep the soil moist and loose? ST. FRANCIS: After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which They call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of The leaves. GOD: And where do they get this mulch? ST. FRANCIS: They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch. GOD: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, You're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us Tonight? ST. CATHERINE: Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a story about.... GOD: Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.

Hi I've been seeing ads from companies who claim they may be able to get care home fees back under certain circumstances. I presume this is something that people could do for free without tehir 'help' but I can't find out anything about it or whether or not it's true. Any ideas anyone? Thanks

Morning all, Just had to nip into town and as the weather is reather naff I took the car. Now, my car is a big Mondeo with running lights on the front and I put my headlights on too as it's wet. However, I think this morning my car turned invisible as I drove through the market square. Why do I think that? Because a guy who was on his phone stepped straight out in front of my to cross the road!!! Can we have a new criminal offence please? How about "walking without due care and attention"??

Received a letter from Halifax to basically say that they had not found sufficient evidence to agree with my allegations that PPI was missold!!! I did send away a SAR and only received charges of account for late charges and overlimits with no mention of PPI. I did have Card Care and cancelled this a few years ago. Where do I stand - I am not sure if I did have PPI?