Crisis Loan - self employed

[misscher34]

hello, My partner and I are self employed and I suffer from Raynaud's disease and kidney infections I need heat for this, oil heating as we have no open fire. My partner and I have next to zero money coming in at present through the business and even though we get £120 per week in tax credits it is really hard to obtain oil with bills etc. I have heard that the DHSS provide Crisis Loans to people on benefits, do you think we would be eligible? We also need a bed and there is no way that we can get credit. We have no kids and the business has made no profit from the last year, I know going on benefits would seem the better option as you can obtain budgeting loans etc but we want to make a success of our business and it is a struggle. I have been turned down for DLA, can anyone advise, we cant even afford to put an electric shower into the house as I am not on ESA/DLA.

 

 

Please help.

 

 

I am in Northern Ireland, it may be different here! thanks

[outa10]

As far as i am aware D W P no longer offer crisis loans to anyone , You will need to contact your local council to see if they can offer you any help .

[antone]

The new rules regarding Social Fund loans have not yet affected Northern Ireland. So, if you need a bed, you could ask for a Budgeting Loan, see here.

 

If you need help for your bills, you would look here.

[sillygirl1]

Have you tried your local Freecycle, plenty of people on our one (it is done by borough in London) getting rid of beds, sofas etc - pot luck whether you get anything but it is worth asking.

 

I got a lovely G Plan wall unit and matching sofa and reclining chair from ours, along with various other bits and pieces, including a nice fish tank (and fish!).

[Consumer dude]

The other thing is to join a friendly local church who might know of local schemes of support..

[estellyn]

The new rules regarding Social Fund loans have not yet affected Northern Ireland. So, if you need a bed, you could ask for a Budgeting Loan, see here.

 

If you need help for your bills, you would look here.

 

 

Without a qualifying benefit, a budgeting loan is not an option.

 

 

Claiming JSA/ESA would only initially give a similar amount to the tax credits already being received, and a budgeting loan wouldn't be an option for 6 months. Not sure if a crisis loan would pay for heating oil - they would probably suggest electric heaters in the main living area, and would also say heating oil should be budgeted for.

 

 

Sorry not what you're wanting to hear.

[wiseajak]

U can get crisis loans specifically for heating oil, we got £200, but u have to get a benefit.