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I don't know where to turn next- I think I'm going to lose my home.
Lost.Angry.Confused
Posts: 33 Forumite
I'll start from the beginning, if anyone gets to the end please can someone help me 
Met hubby in 2004, I knew he had debts that ex wife had run up before leaving him. He owned the house, but was struggling with repayments. He re mortgaged 2006 with a company that deals with bad debtors. In late 2007, he was struggling again so after many attempts and then getting laid off in January 2008 he sold the house to a rent back company. We got £29,000 after all debts were paid. Rent is £900 pcm
We had our daughter in 2005, married that year as well. In October 2006 my husband was arrested over some pretty horrible charges, which he has always denied (Which like a mug I have always believed). He was put on unconditional bail
These charges have dragged on, with 7 court dates between September 2007 and October 2008.
Hubby worked as a HGV driver on agency but was laid off January 2008, so we lived off of the proceeds from the house. Due to the nature of the the alledged charges, I was advised by social services that I was not allowed to leave my daughter ( 2.5years old) and stepson in my husbands care as a precautionary measure- leaving me unable to work.
During mid 2008 hubby was diagnosed with depression, due to court proceedings. During the full trial I was made aware of how bad the allegations were, and how much was hidden from me. He was found guilty October 2008 and sentenced to 3 years in prison. I will not be having him back after these 3 years.
He always reassured me that he was not guilty, and everything will be fine. Even that after he would be found not guilty and his police record is cleared he would be able to get his job back- Gullible me believed every word.
I found out that I am nearly 4.5 months pregnant, after being on the mirena coil. It hasn't come at the greatest time I can tell you.
I have started claiming Income support and child tax credits.
Today I been turned down for housing benefit- because we have only been renting this place for a year- their criteria is I have to be renting for at least 5 years before being eligible.
Where do I turn now, I've got enough money for 1 months rent.
I feel like I'm being kicked from every side Sorry if this is in the wrong place.
Met hubby in 2004, I knew he had debts that ex wife had run up before leaving him. He owned the house, but was struggling with repayments. He re mortgaged 2006 with a company that deals with bad debtors. In late 2007, he was struggling again so after many attempts and then getting laid off in January 2008 he sold the house to a rent back company. We got £29,000 after all debts were paid. Rent is £900 pcm
We had our daughter in 2005, married that year as well. In October 2006 my husband was arrested over some pretty horrible charges, which he has always denied (Which like a mug I have always believed). He was put on unconditional bail
These charges have dragged on, with 7 court dates between September 2007 and October 2008.
Hubby worked as a HGV driver on agency but was laid off January 2008, so we lived off of the proceeds from the house. Due to the nature of the the alledged charges, I was advised by social services that I was not allowed to leave my daughter ( 2.5years old) and stepson in my husbands care as a precautionary measure- leaving me unable to work.
During mid 2008 hubby was diagnosed with depression, due to court proceedings. During the full trial I was made aware of how bad the allegations were, and how much was hidden from me. He was found guilty October 2008 and sentenced to 3 years in prison. I will not be having him back after these 3 years.
He always reassured me that he was not guilty, and everything will be fine. Even that after he would be found not guilty and his police record is cleared he would be able to get his job back- Gullible me believed every word.
I found out that I am nearly 4.5 months pregnant, after being on the mirena coil. It hasn't come at the greatest time I can tell you.
I have started claiming Income support and child tax credits.
Today I been turned down for housing benefit- because we have only been renting this place for a year- their criteria is I have to be renting for at least 5 years before being eligible.
Where do I turn now, I've got enough money for 1 months rent.
I feel like I'm being kicked from every side
Sorry if this is in the wrong place. 0
Comments
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What happened to the £29k that you ended up with from the sale of the property? I would guess that this might be why you have been rejected for HB. Someone more knowledge than me will be along soon.
ETA: I have re-rear your post and see that you have been living off it. Sorry, no idea then.0 -
Hi sorry to hear about your situation. Id say that your first port of call would be the charity shelter to get some advice. Iv never heard of the five year rule on housing benefit seems crazy to me. Secondly Id approach social services as they may be able to step in with the housing benefits people due to the circamstances surrounding your case.
I hope that its of some use to you and Im sure things will work out for you.0 -
What happened to the £29k that you ended up with from the sale of the property? I would guess that this might be why you have been rejected for HB. Someone more knowledge than me will be along soon.
ETA: I have re-rear your post and see that you have been living off it. Sorry, no idea then.
Sorry, I know it's a long post.
We lived off of the £29k for the year. I was unable to work because SS told me that my children would been seen as 'at risk' if I left them with hubby.Secondly Id approach social services as they may be able to step in with the housing benefits people due to the circamstances surrounding your case.
I hope that its of some use to you and Im sure things will work out for you.
I've already spoken to SS today and they are totally unable to help me- The best they could offer was £15 in Sainsburys vouchers.0 -
How much of the £29k do you still have?
Can you find another home to rent that's cheaper than £900 per month?
~Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and you weep alone.~:)
0 -
Also sorry to hear about your situation, have you thought about going to your local CAB?"When the Government borrows, the citizen has to save".
Machiavellii0 -
I`m also puzzled about this 5 year"rule" never heard of that before,i assume you applied for local housing allowance and not housing benefit as you rent privately,just one thought i wonder if this rule applies because you sold and rented back?
Perhaps it might be and idea to find somewhere else to rent £900 per month seems very expensive.0 -
£900pcm rent sounds very high -- and though this would explain about £12k of your expenditure I doubt that LHA would cover it anyway (unless you live in a very, very expensive are of the country).
Assuming your stepson is under 10, then you'd only be allowed 2 bedrooms. After the baby comes this would increase to 3. If he's 10 or over now, then you would qualify for a 3 bedroomed now -- with no additional room on the arrival of the baby.
Round me they'd allow £98.08pw for a 2 bedroomed place or £114.23 for a 3 bedroomed (roughly £425pcm for 2 or £496pcm for 3)
So even if they allow you LHA there would seem to be a chance you'd have to move
Cheryl0 -
How much of the £29k do you still have?
Can you find another home to rent that's cheaper than £900 per month?
Being very honest, I've just over £1500 left, however I should be hearing from CTC soon and I have been awarded £60pw IS.
My rent is very cheap for the area because the property is not in the best condition. Even my landlord said it works out better for him to stay here and pay £900 pm (It should be around £1300 pm) than him having to lose 3 possibly 4 months rent that he would doing the place up.
My SS is 17 at college so can not share with my 3yo daughter.
We have a 3 bedroomed house at the moment.0 -
Hi there LAC. Firstly big hugs to you are your children you are doing amazingly well and have done the right thing asking for help. There are some great people on here and i'm sure that some people know a lot more about benefits and help than i do. I suggest you post a statement of affairs, by looking at your post count i'm guessing your new on here so all i mean is a list of your incomings and outgoings and a list of any debts or savings. This way people might be able to suggest ways you could save money or it might help the people who know all about benefits to know if you are eligible. Please stay on here and pop back to let us know how you are even if it's just to have a whinge!!!
Keep smiling and keep posting
love elle0 -
Hello Lost.Angry.Confused.
Like the other posters, I have not heard of the 5 year rule.
From what you have disclosed, I can make some sort of assumptions of the allegations.
I am sure that Social Services would consider it to be in your best interests to be re housed and moved..hopefully a new start for you.
What the house previously in joint names? You said it was his? Did it go into joint names at any point?
Housing Benefits may view things differently if the house and hence the 29k was never in your name.
What about the Women's Aid? or CAB?
As Social Services have at some point classed your children 'as risk' there will be agencies out there that can help you?
Just be proactive.
I'll send you private message.
Munchie.0
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