I couldn’t pay my rent and was drowning in debt then I got £1k from little-known scheme and it saved me and my kids

MOTHER-of-four Amy Claridge fell into rent arrears after maternity leave left her with less money than expected.

The primary school teacher, 35, and her partner saved around £200 a month in preparation for the birth of their son in November 2023.

It was difficult for the young couple to scrape together the cash each month and still provide for their other three children.

At first they were able to make ends meet on Amy’s £1,600 a month salary and her partner’s £2,000 a month income.

But after three months Amy’s maternity pay halved to £800 and the family began to struggle.

Then the cost of living crisis drove up their monthly gas, electricity and food bills and the couple fell behind on their payments.

First they missed a council tax payment, then they struggled to pay their energy bill.

But it was the increase in their rent from £801 to £809 a month on their two bedroom house that pushed them over the edge. 

“We just couldn’t keep on top of it at all. We were just trying to chase our tails with other bills,” Amy said.

“We were trying to put £50 towards one bill and £100 on another but could never pay the full amount.”

She was using her overdraft to make ends meet but racked up hefty fees when she missed her payments.

Sadly, she maxed out her credit card, which lowered her credit score.

The family tried to cut back on their spending, they stopped going on days out and said no to school trips for their eldest daughter and son.

Eventually they had to stop using their Nissan and 2014 BMW cars altogether as they couldn’t afford petrol or running costs.

They started using a local food bank to make sure they had enough supplies to feed their children.

The pressure of the situation took its toll on the couple and their children aged 12, nine, three and six months.

“It was so stressful. It was the first time I’ve ever suffered with my mental health,” Amy said.

“It was a difficult situation and nobody wants to be in that position. We both work really hard. My partner is a supervisor at a retail shop and works really long hours.”

The couple fell three months behind on their rent payments and owed their housing provider Sovereign Housing around £2,427.

As the situation worsened the couple were threatened with court action.

“We could not see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Amy said.

“Maternity leave is meant to be one of the happiest times of your life but it was just clouded by debt.

“The threat of court was looming and keeping a roof over the children’s heads was quite daunting.”

As the financial pressures became all-consuming, Sovereign Housing sent the couple to its debt support team.

An advisor referred the family to the Lightning Reach portal.

Lightning Reach connects users to personalised help, such as fuel vouchers, energy advice and utility bills.

To be eligible you need to be struggling financially, for example because you are waiting for a benefit payment, have lost your job or your bills have increased.

You do not need to be referred to access the support and can apply directly through the Lightning Reach website.

Amy said the support from Lightning Reach “just changed everything”.

“We only had to fill in the forms once and all the information was at our fingertips. There were many different avenues and personalised searches for our situation.”

The busy mum was able to build a profile and explore her options easily using just her mobile phone.

After she submitted the paperwork Amy was offered a grant from Teaching Staff Trust.

She was given the choice of either £1,000 towards their rent arrears, £500 for food, or the full £1,500 towards their rent debt.

Amy chose to cover her arrears, easing the financial pressure on the family.

“Within a couple of days, I got an email. I reread it five times as I could not believe my luck,” she tells me.

“It was absolutely amazing. I felt like the grey cloud hanging over us had lifted and we were finally getting the support we needed.”

Where to find financial help

There are several grants and cash payments you could get if you are struggling.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Home Discount Scheme is a one-off £150 discount on your energy bill.

If you are eligible then your energy supplier will usually apply the discount to your bill.

You may instead be sent a voucher if you have a prepayment meter.

Applications for the scheme opened in October but there can be a delay before the payments are made.

To qualify for the cash, you usually need to be claiming one of a range of means-tested benefits during the qualifying week, which is typically in August.

But if you successfully claim backdated benefits, you may still be able to qualify after this date once your benefits are confirmed.

If you qualify for the Warm Home Discount, you should receive a letter to tell you.

These letters are usually sent between October and January.

You can use our guide to check which benefits qualify for the help.

Plus we explain how to get the cash if you think you are eligible but have not received a letter.

Household Support Fund

If you are struggling to pay your bills, you may be able to apply for support via the Household Support Fund (HSF).

The funding is designed to help people who are vulnerable or cannot afford necessities including energy bills, water bills and food.

The help may be paid as cash, food or fuel vouchers.

What support is available and whether you are eligible varies by council.

Check your local authority’s website to see what is on offer and how to apply.

For example, St Helens Borough Council in Merseyside is offering support with essential bills.

Low-income families can apply for support with their food, fuel bills and other living expenses such as utility debts.

They can also get cash to help with the cost of purchasing furniture or white goods.

Households can apply for payments worth £200.

Those over 80 who are not eligible for this year’s Winter Fuel Payment can get £300.

They must be receiving Housing Benefit or another Council Tax reduction.

Free electricity and gadgets

You may be able to get a grant to help you pay your bills directly from your supplier.

Several energy suppliers have support customers experiencing financial hardship.

EDF customers who are struggling with energy debt can get help through its Customer Support Fund.

The fund offers grants and support to those who are behind on their bills and provide essential white goods such as a fridge or cooker.

You need to get independent debt advice before you apply for the funding.

To apply visit the Let’s Talk website.

E.ON Next customers who are experiencing financial difficulties and are struggling with their energy bills can get help through the supplier’s Energy Fund.

The fund offers debt support and energy efficient appliances such as washing machines, fridges and cookers.

Other suppliers are giving customers free gadgets to help them cut their energy bills.

Octopus Energy is handing out freebies including electric blankets to customers as part of its Octo Assist fund.

The bankets can save customers up to £150 across winter.

Octopus customers can also borrow a thermal imaging camera to help find spots in their homes where heat is escaping.

Once they have identified the draughts, customers can look into ways to get them fixed, which can help to reduce their energy usage.

Meanwhile, EDF customers can get their hands on free energy-saving gadgets such as air fryers, kettles and slow cookers.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

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