I have no money to celebrate Christmas

Talk about financial vulnerability

Of: Malin Wigen

Published: Dec 23, 2020 at 11:35 a.m.

For Ulrika and her family, the corona pandemic has benefited them financially. This month they have about 6,000 crowns to live on and Christmas this year will not be as usual.

– We cannot afford Christmas gifts for children, or Christmas food. As a mother, I don’t feel good about this.

For Ulrika, 32, Christmas 2020 equals anxiety. Christmas this year will look different than in previous years.

– We cannot afford Christmas gifts for children, or Christmas food. As a mother, I don’t feel good about this, I’m used to being able to give children a cozy time, this is not fun.

He lives in Arboga with his partner and their eight-year-old daughter. The couple’s nine-year-old daughter also lives with them when she is not with her mother. Its existence changed due to the coronavirus. Ulrika is a substitute in the home care service and right now, due to the pandemic, she is not allowed to work as much. And his partner lost his job in October. This month, they have a total income of around 6,000 crowns; expenses are 7,500 and then food is not included in that amount. They have also stopped paying their December rent.

– It does not look good, we cannot afford anything since we hardly have income and expenses are greater than that. We have requested maintenance support but have not been granted it, it was difficult when the decision was made. We have appealed.

She has also been forced to sell her car, making it difficult for her to have a job in another municipality. To top it all, all their Christmas items were stolen from their storage, thankfully people have gifted them Christmas decorations.

– We got a Christmas tree from a friend who had an extra left over, so we have it anyway.

Ulrika feels an inner anxiety.

– I’m very worried. Most of us wondered if we weren’t allowed to stay. I also feel bad that my daughter feels bad about not getting the other sheep.

The daughter is somewhat aware of how the situation looks.

– We don’t want to say too much as we still hope to solve this in some way. She thinks it’s sad but at the same time understands, she gets Christmas presents from her dad anyway.

Now they cross their fingers so that the partner receives unemployment benefits and can receive the housing subsidy. But the processing times are long and they still don’t know if they can make a decision before Christmas Eve.

– It is anxiety about not being able to give Christmas gifts and not really knowing how to get the maximum financial aid, we will not be able to pay the rent or anything else as it looks now. It puts sticks in our wheels.

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Published: Dec 23, 2020 at 11:35 a.m.

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