Housing allowance granted..but less than my rent..what next?!!?

Katlamity

dmg24 wrote: »

I'm not really sure what you want people to say Katlamity - welcome to life as a single person?

but thanks for your response SomeBozo.....yup, welcome to singledom is a reality check indeed.:D

In truth, I was hoping for others to recount well, this is what I did and then that happened etc. As I said, I'm new to this and learn most from other peoples' experiences. And also confirmation that the things I moan about are indeed unchangeable so I know I'm not missing something and will just get on with it...hence I appreciated the later responses too.

Katlamity

dmg24 wrote: »

Your son is expected to get a job outside of term time. Indeed, most students have jobs whilst at university too.

What would he be doing if he was not a student?

Working somewhere that does enlarged print or has really big signs I'd expect.

He came home yesterday as it's the end of his first term. Should I lock him out until he's found a job for the next 2 weeks? Or will you allow him to get back to Uni after xmas and follow his plan to find a saturday job and work during term time?

*takes deep breath to calm down*

bestpud

Katlamity wrote: »

Thank you - I didn't know that HE students couldn't get loans and grants, that explains it. My son lives in Halls, at just under £4000 a year, which is typical for student accommodation. A combination of loans and the LA grant pays his rent and tuition, leaving him with about £45/£50 a week for food and transport. The LA notified us of his grant with a message to the parent that I would be expected to aid his maintenance although of course this isn't obligatory, just a nudge.

Child Benefit is obviously a small sum to dismiss in favour of student loans/grants and it never featured as a problem until now that I look at (hopefully) short term help from the DWP.

Despite the fact my son has a grant and loan, he cannot also help maintain myself and our home, which he comes back to at the end of each term. He barely makes ends meet himself, he's new to his disability and new to being a student. Even if he wasn't new to this adult scary life, how is he expected financially to fill the gap? So his mother's employer goes bust and he's expected to somehow contribute to keeping the home roof over our heads? Give him a break.

DLA doesn't apply as he can, with the aid of public assistance and a stick, maintain mobility and, at home, he can prepare food and dress & wash himself adequately.

I referred to our pet as middle-aged merely to demonstrate we didn't get one irresponsibily recently. When I see the JSA of £60 a week disappear into rent top up and heat, water & light, the question of who I feed first pops up.

Ah, I assumed your son was living at home rather than in halls.

Student finance is worked out on the basis that students will work at leas in the summer break, but most do so all year round.

Don't get annoyed as dmg is only pointing out what is expected of him by the powers that be.

FWIW, I see no reason why you should totally keep him in the holidays when you are living hand to mouth.

I know he doesn't have much either, but all the more reason for him realising how it is for you and offering a little bit of help. I guess even £20 would help you right now?

Happy_Girl_2

OP I'm in same boat. My LHA is just over £100 short of my rent as I live alone in 2 bed property. As another poster said, my full rent is covered for 13 weeks and after that I'm on my own. Either I make up the shortfall or I move

Realistically I will have to move. Living in a reduced property also takes the pressure off with jobs as I will be able to take lower paid work and still afford the rent.

However this is not always an easy option for everyone. I looked at a property last week, and the Agent quoted upfront costs of approx £1,200! (application fee, deposit and first months rent in advance) The council inform me I can't apply for HB until I actually live in the property so no chance of help with these fees from them! Fortunately I have the money, but there will be plenty of people that don't and where are you supposed to get it?! There is also the added issue, that Landlords who will rent to DSS tenants always require a Guarantor! so not only have you got to find all these fees upfront, you also need someone who is prepared to guarantee your tenancy!

In my case it's mainly positive though. The new property is over £100 cheaper per month than where I am now and comes with outside space which I haven't got here so I am happy. The only negative part is that I have to rehome my beloved cats as I can't take them with me! That will break my heart and be the hardest thing out of all this mess!

Katlamity

bestpud wrote: »

Ah, I assume your son was living at home rather than in halls.

Student finance is worked out on the basis that students will work at leas in the summer break, but most do so all year round.

Don't get annoyed as dmg is only pointing out what is expected of him by the powers that be.

FWIW, I see no reason why you should totally keep him in the holidays when you are living hand to mouth.

I know he doesn't have much either, but all the more reason for him realising how it is for you and offering a little bit of help. I guess even £20 would help you right now?

I don't keep him. And he's already given me some cash (which was from his overdraft, I think). But I feel terrible. It has been a really bad year with loads of stress, loss, change and then his sight - and that's my fault because it's inherited although we didn't know of it. He's 18 but definitely not an adult and no one can expect some huge maturity to happen overnight, it takes a bit of time - and anyway, none of this is his doing, I'm the one who took decisions and am responsible. Well, sort of - I wasn't responsible for suddenly becoming a singleton, or for Lehman Bros going bust which, indirectly led to my employer going bust which has led to my position of being unemployed but too old for a lot of employers, with few extra-ordinary talents or physical capability of turning my hand to say gardening or shelf stacking.

I asked for advice or tips for myself. Instead you want my almost blind son to support the our current financial crisis at the drop of a hat.

Obviously I joined the wrong site.

sadken

After speaking to the Housing people tomorrow, I will then contatc my landlord.
We have a great relationship and he is very understanding of my situation as I have been up front with him from the moment I moved in.
If a small reduction is called for, I think he may well help out.
I will post back here when I get some news tomorrow.
Thanks once again for all the helpful advice and support.

Oldernotwiser

Katlamity wrote: »

I asked for advice or tips for myself. Instead you want my almost blind son to support the our current financial crisis at the drop of a hat.

Obviously I joined the wrong site.

Many of the answers you received were because your op implied that your son lived at home (you talked about not getting CB for him) and therefore one would assume he was paying his way. Student funding is intended to cover the short holidays so it's fair enough that your son should at least pay for his food when he's living with you.

I'm sure you feel protective of your son because of his disability but he is an adult; he could have married a couple of years ago or could be fighting in Iraq at the moment if things were different. It's reasonable to expect him to rally round you now that you're not in a good situation. After all family supports family when there are problems, surely?

If you're not hearing back from jobs then your job applications may not be as "superb" as you think. If you ask at the Jobcentre you should be able to see a Nextstep Adviser who can look at your CV and applications and discuss improvements to them. If you live in an area that's particularly bad for employment you may need to consider applying for jobs elsewhere and moving when you're offered something. As a single person you'll only be getting LHA for 1 bed accommodation so you may also need to consider downsizing on this front.

I hope things get better for you.

dmg24

Katlamity wrote: »

Working somewhere that does enlarged print or has really big signs I'd expect.

He came home yesterday as it's the end of his first term. Should I lock him out until he's found a job for the next 2 weeks? Or will you allow him to get back to Uni after xmas and follow his plan to find a saturday job and work during term time?

*takes deep breath to calm down*

You are very defensive. I made a perfectly valid suggestion. If he is capable of going to university, there is no reason why he is not capable of working (with relevant adaptations).

SomeBozo

Katlamity wrote: »

That what it says on applications, I agree. Then you realise that you are returning both the monitoring form and the application to the same person in a small office. Besides, a lot of the public sector application forms also ask for your date of birth......it's not illegal for them to ask but if you leave it blank, do they dismiss your application? Who knows.

realise that you are returning both the monitoring form and the application to the same person in a small office

Yes, HR. Not the actual department you are applying to work for.

If its for a job in HR, then the Occy Health department usually deal with it.

not illegal for them to ask but if you leave it blank, do they dismiss your application

Its not illegal to ask for your age on a application form, just bad practice. Its against the law to discriminate on someone age, not to ask them for it.

Bozo

bestpud

Katlamity wrote: »

I don't keep him. And he's already given me some cash (which was from his overdraft, I think). But I feel terrible. It has been a really bad year with loads of stress, loss, change and then his sight - and that's my fault because it's inherited although we didn't know of it. He's 18 but definitely not an adult and no one can expect some huge maturity to happen overnight, it takes a bit of time - and anyway, none of this is his doing, I'm the one who took decisions and am responsible. Well, sort of - I wasn't responsible for suddenly becoming a singleton, or for Lehman Bros going bust which, indirectly led to my employer going bust which has led to my position of being unemployed but too old for a lot of employers, with few extra-ordinary talents or physical capability of turning my hand to say gardening or shelf stacking.

I asked for advice or tips for myself. Instead you want my almost blind son to support the our current financial crisis at the drop of a hat.

Obviously I joined the wrong site.

It is not your fault he inherited his condition - I can see how you have come to that conclusion but it is wrong. You didn't know and that is that. It is very unfortunate but it is not your fault any more than it is your sons. No reason to beat yourself up or feel you owe him something.

You have been given good advice. It is not what you wanted to hear but it is still good advice. To be fair, nobody has responded in the negative manner you have.

Have you had a look at the oldstyle board as they are very good at making money stretch?

You have joined a very good site if you want financial help and a bit if symapthy thrown in, but you may have joined the wrong site if you want sympathy alone.

I hope you find work soon.