Young Family stuck

spikeysoul

I have some friends, they are officially together, they have two young children (both under 5). He is claiming Job Seekers - he has no qualifications apart from numeracy and literacy equivalents.

I know about the Adult learning grant - but that is only £30 a week, if he went to do a first level 2 qualification he would have his fee's paid but could not feed his family. For these two it would really be an investment if he could become qualified in something (he was working at a pub, but they are all closing at the moment so he can't find similar work, and it's all low paid no prospects stuff anyway).

On a separate note - their landlord is having the house reposessed, it's not happened yet but it will do fairly soon. The house leaks and is very damp, the kids have constant chest infections and it's the damp that is causing it. If she split from him she would be entitled to a house - but right now they have been told they are a family with a suitable home and will only be helped after spending quite some time in homless drop in hostels with the kids. Is there anything they can do (apart from split up) that might get them more priority, the house is a health hazard.

Jowo_2

On the problems your friends will have with homelessness, contact Shelter and have a look at the section on their website about it which covers how council's are supposed to assist when a homelessness application is made. Local council's prioritise those whose accommodation is not secure in the next 28 days. There is an extreme shortage of social housing in some areas - not everyone who loses their accommodation can be housed with a secure tenancy with a social housing body, some have to have interim accommodation in hostels.

The Shelter website also has a section on how to deal with repairs, including escalating them to the local council environmental health department, but I expect the landlord will not cooperate because of the forthcoming repossession.

mummytofour

They may have changed the ALG rules but the yr b4 last you could not claim it on JSA. Generally as long as you are in education 16 hrs a week or less you can still claim what you are already getting.

As for the housing can they rent another nicer property privately? Their current deposit should be tied up in a rent deposit scheme which they can get back when they leave the house.

alwaysonthego_2

spikeysoul wrote: »

I have some friends, they are officially together, they have two young children (both under 5). He is claiming Job Seekers - he has no qualifications apart from numeracy and literacy equivalents.

I know about the Adult learning grant - but that is only £30 a week, if he went to do a first level 2 qualification he would have his fee's paid but could not feed his family. For these two it would really be an investment if he could become qualified in something (he was working at a pub, but they are all closing at the moment so he can't find similar work, and it's all low paid no prospects stuff anyway).

On a separate note - their landlord is having the house reposessed, it's not happened yet but it will do fairly soon. The house leaks and is very damp, the kids have constant chest infections and it's the damp that is causing it. If she split from him she would be entitled to a house - but right now they have been told they are a family with a suitable home and will only be helped after spending quite some time in homless drop in hostels with the kids. Is there anything they can do (apart from split up) that might get them more priority, the house is a health hazard.

If yor friend wants to go to college and is claiming JSA he would not be entitled to ALG. He would have to do under 16 hours and would be expected to take a job if he was offered one.

In regards to his house, if he splits up with his partner in order to gain more benefits then in the eyes of the DWP they could still be seen as a couple even though they are living in seperate households as they still would be a couple.

If the children are suffering from constant chest infections then theyshould try and obtain DR's letter to confirm this and they may be treated as priority for LAH. Otherwise they would have to hang on until they get the S21 and present themselves to the LA as homeless. Even if they have been given the notice to quit they would not have to leave after the 2 months and could hang on until court proceedings which could be stalled so they do have time to find somewhere else.

spikeysoul

They have tried to find private accomodation but are struggling to find somewhere suitable - they moved in before the deposit scheme - so the deposit has essentially gone, they will not get it back.

regards not getting JSA and ALG - that's why he would not be able to feed his family, can't get JSA on more than 16 hours course, can't feed family on £30 per week. That is the whole of the problem.

In terms of splitting up - they arn't going to do this anyway - but it was something (shockingly) the housing office suggested. Personally I think it's disgusting - while they are 'advising' people to split there are still people in genuine need who will not bow to playing the system. How many do - on the advice of council workers, I wonder how much it means they don't have to change a pretty unfair system by looking at real need.

Thank you - have looked at the shelter site, and passed on the phone number and will mention about Dr's certificate (I have a feeling the Dr will charge £50 for this service though - and I can't see them affording £100).

Thanks again everyone

alwaysonthego_2

Have you suggested to them about the rent deposit guarantee scheme. Also they could apply for a crisis loan for rent in advance.

Rent deposit guarantee schemes

Some local authorities, housing associations and charities offer loans to pay a deposit of a month’s rent on a private flat. Usually, the money is lent in advance and is then repaid by the tenant, possibly through Housing Benefit. Other schemes guarantee that any outstanding rent will be paid to the landlord if required, but no money is exchanged. Most schemes guarantee to pay for any damage to the accommodation at the end of the tenancy.
You can get details of rent deposit and guarantee schemes around the UK from the Crisis Smartmove website at www.crisis.org.uk/nrdf/index.php.

spikeysoul

Will let them know about that too - thank you

LondonDiva

Can they not find another property to rent if they are unhappy with their current home?

dmg24

Can mum not work?

spikeysoul

They are looking for another property

TBH dmg24 I've not pried that much into why she can't/doesn't work - I don't know - but he is trying so hard to find a job I'm maybe being nieve and assuming she has a reason - she had a job before she had the children it's not like she has never worked.