What can I do?
I honestly don't know what I can do. Covid has ruined our lives. My husband was receiving jobkeeker but ATO placed a review on his payments. We haven't received a payment for 3 months and we are drowning. I am working but my pay covers our bills- rent (real estate refuse to make any discount) elextricty, gas, phone - I have called them all to prolong payment, I make a small payment each fortnight towards the growing debts.
This week I have 5 cents to our name. I havent eaten in a couple of days, trying to save food where we can for the kids, their lunch boxes are so bare. We have sold whatever we can to help get by. I considered cutting the internet off but I need it for work. Phones I have reduced to lowest PLANS.
The ATO can't give us a time frame. They can't get me in touch with anyone. They can't give me a email address to send bank statements to (sole trader and proof of income prior March). They say they have escalated our request for a faster review. But so far no progress.
I cut the mold off the bread for the kids lunches today. I feel sick with worry. Husband is totally withdrawing from family and I can see he's struggling. I can't even afford to get him to a doctor.
What is out there that can help? I have visited local church and they have given food vouchers. But I'm totally at a loss. Any tips to make food last longer or killer recipes that work out dirt cheap to make? Any recipes or ideas greatly appreciated.
31 Replies
I’m sorry you’re going thru this! Contact the salvos, vinnies and ring life line. Also contact Centrelink/ tax complaints line. This is not right! Good luck!
P.s drs are bulkbilling phone consults so ring around for hubby and yourself
Bag of popping kernels with salt and cooking oil cooked in a pot on the stove will give popcorn for snacks for lunch boxes very cheaply. Pikelets if you cook them are also really cheap, especially if you use slime milk powder. Buy fruit at a grocers, not a superman. Slow cook dinners can make cheap meat go a long way. Especially if you pad a stew with rice. Visit local services for support. If you're not sure what's around for you locally, look up what you need using https://askizzy.org.au/ it will link you to local and national services. Do you have family and friends that know how much you are struggling? I'd grocery shop for my family every week for however long if needed....
Contact your local MP about the ato to see if they can help get it moving!
What area are you in? Do you have a local community centre that could help with food? Have you spoken to the school? I'm sure they would supply sandwiches if need be? Do they have breakfast club? Can you visit the church again for more vouchers?
Can you ask for your annual leave to be paid out?
https://www.fwc.gov.au/awards-agreements/awards/modern-awards/modern-awa.... Also have you tried your superfunds
Can your husband access10k of his super?
Where do you live? If you are close enough I am happy to drop off some food!
Is your hubby a sole trader? If so instead of waiting on the ATO I would get your hubby to apply for Jobseeker ASAP. He is eligible as a sole trader even if you are working and he does not have to worry about mutual obligations. He just has to declare both your incomes for the fortnight and he will receive a jobseeker payment based on that figure.
Go to the cahppy at your school. I apologise its a long weekend now, but go monday and they will have food and resources.
Seek out local charities, there are groups that arrange free groceries everywhere, you just have to find them.
And ask your community. Please give people a chance to help. Im a single mum and I would give you whats in my cupboard. I would make a spag bol for your family, if you were local. I know you would do the same for me if I needed.
Where are u located?
Thankyou for all those who responded. It has definitely been a tough couple of weeks. I got hubby a over the phone appointment with doctor. Thankyou for that suggestion 😀 I contacted local member and we now have been assigned a case manager from Ato to review his jobkeeper. (sole trader) step closer. Thankyou to the person who posted the link for where to get help. Unfortunately alot can't help because we aren't on benefits (I earn too much although trust me not enough for a family of four) I just wanted to say thankyou for the replies. Feeling a little better head space wise this week
Please can we know a idea on the area you live so we can give u better ways to help.
There are many additional services out there to support you through this until your income is sorted (or to help get it sorted!). If you let us know what state and region or LGA you are in we can provide more details about the sorts of local options you might have. I've come from working in the community sector so happy to help you find local support.
Here's my advice. Just drop the shame if you can and seek some financial support with a few food and petrol vouchers etc for a few weeks. It's not forever. Everyone needs it sometimes. Just think we are lucky to live in as country where is possible. Happy to help find you the services who offer this and financial counsellors who can help you negotiate bill repayment plans etc.
Go to your local neighbour hood centre or vinnies. They can do food packs and usually have free bread daily.
What area are you in? If your close to me I could help with food.
Shop at Aldi. The bulk buy packs of mince are cheap. They also have cheap frozen vegetables, 1kg is around $2 or $3 dollars. Use the vegetables to bulk out the meat.
You can make a bolognese with lots of pasta to pad it out. Savoury mince-cook mince, add veggies, add any sauces you have such as Worcestershire, BBQ or tomato, whatever. Eat on toast.
Aldi sausages are cheap too.
Buy bulk mince, 3 packets of frozen veggies, bulk sausages, Aldi bread, pasta. Cost about $35 and there are many dinners. Add on milk, flour, sugar, rolled oats, eggs & butter to take it up to $50 and there are a lot of things you can make like biscuits, pancakes, scones. Ask family for money.
Talk to the school about getting free lunches for the kids. Tell them how you are struggling. My boy's school has just set up a community pantry as there are families struggling. We are in a pandemic and there is no shame.
Talk to a church near you as they may have food too.
I am in Canberra if you are near here. I can get you food and support.
Contact your local Federal MP.
I am so sorry you are going through this.
Are you happy to please provide me with a way to deposit some money to you or a PO/mail box where I can send a coles/woollies gift voucher. I'd love to help you and your family out. You're going to get through this hun xx
What state are you in? If real estate won't budge call consumer affairs and fill out the form on their website as they can help with dispute resolution for real estates unwilling to lower rent. I know VIC also has the rent relief grant of $3000 through DHHS but you need to contact consumer affairs first :)
I would like to help you and your family and send a little $$ even ifs it is only enough to buy some school lunches for your kids. These are tough times and I am so sorry your family is suffering through this.. you and your hubby are so strong, please stay strong and reach out!
I am sorry your going through this I 100% understand where you at in life ( we trying our best but not far behind you) I have bills up to my ears all behind I pay the mortgage and food first as they are the most important to me. I am not sure where you are to offer help if you can let everyone know your area this would be wonderful so we can all help where possible. Drs wise there should be a bulk bill one around maybe? A mental health care plan is a great start for him to see a therapist free. Cheap food to go further i suggest do rice dishes, pasta etc. Woworths usally mark down breads to around $1 in the afternoon bulk buy where possible and freeze, just take out what ypu need 10min before this will help with waste. Farmers markets etc are generally cheaper, but again not able to advise of places without some knowledge of where you are.
What town are you in...there are places that can help...no one should be without food💜
Happy to help this family. Please post if we can send money
Kristy had set up a go fund me. https://gf.me/u/yx5vk3
Happy to help this family. Please post if we can send money
Does anyone on here know how i can send some gift vouchers for food to this family even if it's just a week of lunches or even names so that the community could perhaps set up a gofundme page or something this is so sad and breaks my heart
You can send cash via this go fund me if you like https://gf.me/u/yx5vk3
I don't have the recipes but when we were young there were some nights we ran low on food, mum would make cheese and herb damper, or scrambled eggs, or cheese scones. Sometimes even plain rice with butter, salt and pepper. Hope you get back on your feet mumma x