Please help with a Budgeting loan and ESA?

[kace]

Hi there, I'm sorry if this is the wrong forum! I wasn't quite sure where to post.

I am trying to help my boyfriend sort out a budgeting loan, but I am shit with all this benefit stuff and not used to it. I miss working..

Anyway, my boyfriend moved into an unfurnished council house two months ago. The job centre gave him a budgeting loan form to help with furniture. We have managed to get a bed, wardrobe, bedside cabinet and stand. We have no oven, fridge/ freezer, washing machine, microwave, sofas, etc...

We don't know what's the right thing to say. Will they question us about how we got bedroom furniture? Friends donated it to him. Sorry for this post, any advice on filling the form out and successfully getting the money would be helpful!

 

[Bearlove]

They shouldn't question where you got the stuff from - they issue the loan based on your circumstances. The conditions of the loan is for you to buy the necessary things that you need (does not specify it has to be new etc and the fact that you bought all used stuff to stretch out the loan is a good thing). Be careful telling them the furniture was donated to you as they may want to know where the money has gone?

You are entitled to apply for another budgeting loan (according to their website and the conditions on form SF500) and further details can be found here.

You could always make an appointment at the local CAB or where you claim your money from and tell them you need help completing the form. To be honest it doesn't look that daunting - take it one page at a time, cover the boxes your not completing so it doesn't look like you have a lot to do and go slow. Get a few of the forms and do a practice run or two. Write down your replies on a separate sheet until you have all they information you need before starting the form etc

Try some of the good will shops etc - they can supply you with the bare bones of furniture, sofas etc.

I've never completed the form and don't understand the system so have no clue how it actually works.

 

[kace]

Sorry, was really not with it last night and I don't think I explained myself right, as you seem to think we already got a loan?

We haven't got the loan yet, just have the form. We desperately need kitchen appliances, such as a fridge and cooker, as we can only have cupboard food at the moment.
When he moved in, I gave him some of my own furniture (donated stuff) for his bedroom and we went to a very cheap second hand shop and got a bed, wardrobe and small sofa for a really cheap price. Paid for by his ESA money. That's all he has though. No tables, chairs, nothing in the kitchen, so no fridge, freezer, oven, washing machine. No curtains either, and the windows are huge...

We are worried that they will come round, see there is some furniture and get done for fraud or something.

On the form should we explain what we have, what we need, and do some research and come up with a figure as to how much to get. I think it will come to about £1000 for everything, but that sounds a crazy amount. (Partner doesn't want a second hand fridge or oven). Sorry! my boyfriend struggles filling out forms and has left it to me.

Thanks for your advice

 

[Shambles]

Been a while since I filled in Budget Loan forms but from what I recall you just have to list what you need and how much it will cost. The BA place (or whatever it's called these days) used to go by the Argos catalogue as far as presumed cost goes. Obviously once you get the lump sum you spend it how you please. Look for local benefits furniture/white goods outlets. You can pick up stuff at a fraction of buying new at such places - just have to have proof of benefits to qualify. Ask at your local CAB if not sure where the nearest to you is - they're everywhere but only supply folk on benefits. They usually deliver free and take away any old crap you have. Some will even fit for free. Ask at CAB - they are brilliant for this kinda stuff.

 

[Bearlove]

Hi, sorry when I read your message I thought you had already received a payment - spent that but were looking for more.

If you dont mind me suggesting something - first call all the centers who supply furniture for free. Get as much as you can for free

in the mean time work out what you need for basic day to day living - fridge, cooker, bed, sofa etc add a a bit extra onto the prices.
If you see a fridge for 100 say its 120 etc.

You send off your request for x amount (if you want 300 ask for 500) - if anyone comes to you home you simply say, we had nothing
was waiting for a reply and was given this for free .

I cannot advise how much you need and from reading the forms it seems like the amount you will be give is bases on savings etc

 

[Shambles]

If you have savings you won't get a Budgeting Loan. They're for people who have no alternative. They are not very big so don't expect the best of anything - they use Argos catalogues for a reason. And you are only allowed to dream of the cheapest shit Argos sells. They take a loooooooooooooooooong time to pay off too - years - cos they are fixed at a specific ratio of your benefits. You can't pay extra to clear them sooner - they hang around for years and years nibbling away at your income. Find places that sell second hand goods and only borrow the bare minimum.

 

[Bearlove]

If you have savings you won't get a Budgeting Loan. They're for people who have no alternative. They are not very big so don't expect the best of anything - they use Argos catalogues for a reason. And you are only allowed to dream of the cheapest shit Argos sells. They take a loooooooooooooooooong time to pay off too - years - cos they are fixed at a specific ratio of your benefits. You can't pay extra to clear them sooner - they hang around for years and years nibbling away at your income. Find places that sell second hand goods and only borrow the bare minimum.

Sorry Shambles / OP - I had spotted zero replies, looked up the subject but misunderstood the terms. Stupid mistake.

 

[Shambles]

Bears haz no budgets

 

[Bearlove]

Bears haz no budgets

Haha - Yeah I wish, I had never heard of this Loan thing (had my fall outs with the UK benifet system - posted them on here before ), saw that there was 80 views and no answers so thought 'if op is stuck and waiting' then I would look it up - scanned though and got the figures mixed up.

 

[kace]

Sorry, typing on my phone which is about to die, but thanks so much guys! you have been extremely helpful x

 

[brimz]

If you have savings you won't get a Budgeting Loan. They're for people who have no alternative. They are not very big so don't expect the best of anything - they use Argos catalogues for a reason. And you are only allowed to dream of the cheapest shit Argos sells. They take a loooooooooooooooooong time to pay off too - years - cos they are fixed at a specific ratio of your benefits. You can't pay extra to clear them sooner - they hang around for years and years nibbling away at your income. Find places that sell second hand goods and only borrow the bare minimum.

Ya can get BL I get 2 a year £300 4 last 18 yrs pay em get another

Ya do have to be on a real claim not a blag these days I notice "....

That argos ting is a myth btw n u don't specify what u need the £ 4 on BL app