I don't know where to turn next- I think I'm going to lose my home.

[Deleted User]

http://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk/

in cases as compex as yours the people linked above can be very helpful
good luck

DCFC79

Hope you get something sorted soon LAC, maybe finding somewhere cheaper to rent would be a good idea as then it would be a new start and somewhere that wouldnt remind you of your husband(or ex),

fizzel81

Hiya

SS do have to help/advise you as will local council, ss can put alot of weight onto the council to get the to help you out (i never had any dealing with ss before i split from my husband, they came to visti me once, and the letter they wrote got my local council to help me, i was found a private tenancy 5 days after being taken to court)

if you need rehousing alot of councils do a rent deposit scheme

i would get yourself an appointment with cab, they can also advise you over a phone call but i imagine a appointment for you to go in (with any paperwork if needed) would be a god idea

keep your chin up x

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briona wrote: »

Hi LAC

Your story sounds awful! (((Hugs))).

I'll have to leave the housing issues to someone more knowledgeable but I can give you some idea of some of the child-related benefits/grants you can get.

Obviously you will get Child Benefit – current rates being £20pw for your first child and £13.20pw for the second and subsequent ones. I believe if you are on Income Support these can be paid weekly instead of 4 weekly to enable you to budget.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/Childbenefits/DG_073828

As your baby is due in May you will be entitled to the new Health in Pregnancy grant – a one-off non-means tested payment of £190, which you can claim from the 25th week of pregnancy.

http://campaigns.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be/

As you are on Income Support, you will also be able to claim the Sure Start Maternity Grant – a one-off payment of £500 which ONLY be claimed in the following period: from 11 weeks BEFORE the baby is due to the time the baby is 3 months old.

http://www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk/JCP/Customers/WorkingAgeBenefits/Dev_013950.xml.html

I'll have a look around and see if there is anything I may have missed.

Stay strong! You've got this far – things will get easier!

Briona

An excellent post , Briona, useful and informative.

Sorry you can only have one thanks

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Poppy9

You could also contact the Prisoners family helpline to see if they can help

mummytofour

Sweetie, do you have friends or family that you can rely on for moral support? I would hate to think of you trying to struggle through all this on your own. If there is nobody please can you ask SS or you GP to get you a home start volunteer as soon as possible.

You have had a shock and in addition have been left in a terrible situation, keep plugiing away but its important that you recognise none of this is your fault.

Lost.Angry.Confused

Poppy9 - Thanks for that, I've just given them a call and they too have directed me to https://www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk So I'll call them as well as the CAB monday morning.

mummytofour- I've got my mum at the end of the phone, but she lives 200 miles away. I've not really got much support from around here- apart from a couple of my husbands friends no-one else knows he is in prison because I was so embarrassed to tell them. Silly I know, but I can't tell them what he's gone to prison for because I've supported him for these years and we've got a young daughter

saver_sam

Something I haven't seen mentioned is Child Tax Credits or applying for Council Tax Benefits. If I missed it then I apologise.

I believe other posters have it correct about owning your own property, then changing it to rent and the rule is five years before HB kicks in.

Hope all turns out well; it is hard being on your own, my oh left for other reasons 9 months ago, going through a divorce, trying to keep the roof over our heads (2nd mortgage not covered under IS as debts of his) and studying. Takes it toll, and it takes time to come out the other side, but you will in the end. x

saver_sam

Further info on http://www.dwp.gov.uk/housingbenefit/claims-processing/operational-manuals/hbgm/parts/pta_03b.asp#aa_3287

See from section 3.281

This link is aimed at the local authorities but gives you an idea of what they will need to help you proceed.