Support Needed To Get Back To Work

Starting this has been something that has taken a lot of thought. It’s not in my nature to, so bluntly, ask for financial help like this. In mid February of this year, I lost my job. I immediately applied for Universal Credit. Over 2 months later and I have yet to receive anything, despite 25 years of employment, paying tax and National Insurance. As I come to the end of another month, with rent and bills due, I really could see no other option than to try and rely on the kindness of strangers. As someone who suffers from depression and anxiety, I’m finding the situation I’m in is exacerbating this. Although I am trying my hardest to get back into employment, the short term issues around my situation are making it so difficult. The emotional and mental battering that I’m experiencing wondering if I’ll be able to keep a roof over my head are draining and are actively hindering my ability to job hunt. Plus, the actual logistical side is problematic. I don’t have the money at the moment to pay my phone bill or keep on my internet, making the actual process of job hunting near impossible. I would love to be able to take on agency work - my background is care work - until I find something permanent, but without a car and genuinely without the money for public transport fares, even that is proving impossible. This isn’t something I’ve come to lightly, but without wanting to burden friends and family directly - who have already been a magnificent support - it’s really the only option I could see left to me. Any help you can give would be so greatly appreciated.