A Sudden Loss of Income

Most important right now: protect food, shelter and medicine first. Everything else can wait a few days. If you feel you cannot go on, call the Suicide Crisis Helpline on 0800 567 567.

Sometimes money stops without warning. A spaza shop closes, a contract ends, a partner leaves, or the person who earned the money dies or gets sick. The panic is real. You are not failing. You are in a crisis, and crises are handled one step at a time.

What is happening

When income stops, many people try to pay everything as normal until it all collapses. It works better to sort your costs into three groups: must-have (food, rent, electricity, transport to find work, medicine), important (debts, insurance, school costs) and can-wait (subscriptions, extras, family contributions you can pause).

In South Africa, help may come from UIF if you were employed, SASSA grants and Social Relief of Distress, a funeral policy or life cover if someone died, a stokvel or burial society, and family. Talk to creditors early. Many banks will agree to a payment holiday or lower payments if you ask before you miss a payment.

Be careful of quick loans. A mashonisa or a payday loan can turn a short crisis into a long one.

Signs to notice

• You do not know how you will pay for food or rent this month
• Debit orders are about to bounce
• You are thinking about borrowing from a mashonisa
• Family members expect support you can no longer give
• You are hiding the situation from your household
• You cannot sleep for worry

30-second self-check

Answer yes or no. If you answer yes to the first question, stop here and get help now: call 0800 567 567.

• Have you had thoughts of ending your life because of money?
• Is there less than two weeks of food or rent money?
• Are there children or dependants relying on you?
• Are debit orders due that you cannot cover?
• Have you borrowed or are you about to borrow at high interest?
• Are you keeping this a secret from people close to you?

0-1 yes: If your yes was the first question, get help now: 0800 567 567. Otherwise, make your survival budget this week.
2-3 yes: Things are under pressure. Sort must-haves first and speak to creditors this week.
4 or more yes: You need support now. Call the Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline on 0800 212 146 and ask a social worker about emergency help. Do not face this alone.

What you can do next

• Today: List what money is coming in and what must go out this month. Make sure food, shelter and medicine are covered first.
• This week: Call your bank and creditors and ask for a payment holiday or plan. Check UIF, SASSA grants, funeral cover and any life cover. Tell family what you can and cannot give right now.
• This month: Make a 3-month plan with a money coach. If debts are too big, see a registered debt counsellor and check their NCR number at ncr.org.za.
• If someone has died, get the death certificate early. Policies, UIF and estates all need it.

Your tool

Social Support Needs Check - a short set of questions about money, food, housing and support, with a list of where to go first for each.

When to get professional help

Get help if the stress is affecting your sleep, your temper, your drinking or your will to keep going. Money trouble is one of the most common reasons people feel hopeless, and it is also one of the most fixable with the right help.
Who can help: money coach, debt counsellor, social worker, Legal Aid SA, counsellor

Getting help in South Africa

• SASSA (sassa.gov.za): grants and Social Relief of Distress. Check current amounts at sassa.gov.za.
• Department of Employment and Labour (labour.gov.za): UIF claims.
• National Credit Regulator (ncr.org.za): check that a debt counsellor is registered.
• Legal Aid SA (legal-aid.co.za): help with estates, maintenance and debt disputes if you qualify.
• Cleared Mind 24-hour Careline (0800 212 146): support and help finding next steps.