Son at College and about to become a parent - please help

saintscouple

I'm confused as usual, so here goes -

My son who is nearly 19,and his 19 year old pregnant girlfriend (due 25 June), are currently living with his mother in Newbury.

However his mother has told them they need to move out before the baby is born as she doesn't have enough room.

My son has 1 year left at Basingstoke college to complete his course, then wishes to go to Southampton university, where me (his father) lives.

Unfortuatley i also don't have the room to put up 2 adults and a baby.

My son and girlfriend want to start living down in Southampton prior to the baby being born, and we have got them a housing application form so they can get on the waiting list.

Currently all they recieve is £30 a week EMA, with my son having a part-time job (aprox 12 hours a week).

I'm seeking help as to what benefits they are entitled to, and in what order to start claiming, and where to claim?

Is it feasible for my son to continue full time education, whilst his girlfriend looks after their newborn?

Any help most appreciated.

welshmoneylover

In an ideal world they should have sorted that out before hand :rotfl:

However, we don't live in an ideal world and I haven't got much advice to offer in terms of finances/housing.

I do wish to say that I hope you'll continue to support your son in his desire to go to university and get a degree

It will benefit him, his girlfriend and the baby for many years to come.

Congrats on becoming a grandad and I hope the pregnancy goes well :T

Oldernotwiser

Who will pay his travelling costs from Southampton to Newbury?
Is his girlfriend working,studying or claiming?

saintscouple

welshmoneylover wrote: »

In an ideal world they should have sorted that out before hand :rotfl:

However, we don't live in an ideal world and I haven't got much advice to offer in terms of finances/housing.

I do wish to say that I hope you'll continue to support your son in his desire to go to university and get a degree

It will benefit him, his girlfriend and the baby for many years to come.

Congrats on becoming a grandad and I hope the pregnancy goes well :T

I only found out a couple of weeks ago, and yes trying my best to support them.
He did originally plan to go to uni at Bournemouth, but seeing as i live in Southampton, and the uni here do the same course, I managed to persuade them that to live in Southampton would be best.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Who will pay his travelling costs from Southampton to Newbury?
Is his girlfriend working,studying or claiming?

He's currently travelling from Newbury to Basingstoke college on his EMA money.
Southampton is more or less the same distance to Basingstoke as Newbury is.

His girlfriend recently dropped out of college, and as she's living with my son and his mother, is not claiming any benefits i.e has no income.

clb776

make a claim for homelessness for overcrowding to their local council?

My sister and her boyfriend were able to claim income support at 18 whilst the dad finished college. Unsure if this is possible at 19.

Oldernotwiser

saintscouple wrote: »

I only found out a couple of weeks ago, and yes trying my best to support them.
He did originally plan to go to uni at Bournemouth, but seeing as i live in Southampton, and the uni here do the same course, I managed to persuade them that to live in Southampton would be best.



He's currently travelling from Newbury to Basingstoke college on his EMA money.
Southampton is more or less the same distance to Basingstoke as Newbury is.

His girlfriend recently dropped out of college, and as she's living with my son and his mother, is not claiming any benefits i.e has no income.

She should be claiming JSA, which would help them to save for the future.

Oldernotwiser

They will need to look at renting privately and claiming LHA; there's little chance of council housing in Southampton as they aren't a high priority.

saintscouple

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

She should be claiming JSA, which would help them to save for the future.

She apparantly doesn't qualify for any payments as she hasn't earnt enough national insurance credits, even though she was at college.

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

They will need to look at renting privately and claiming LHA; there's little chance of council housing in Southampton as they aren't a high priority.

Thanks i'll look in to LHA.
May i ask what would constitue high priorty, as i thought parents with child and homeless would be classed as high priorty?

Indie_Kid

saintscouple wrote: »

She apparantly doesn't qualify for any payments as she hasn't earnt enough national insurance credits, even though she was at college.

You don't get NI credits paid if you're at college or uni.

Caz3121

saintscouple wrote: »

May i ask what would constitue high priorty, as i thought parents with child and homeless would be classed as high priorty?

Different councils are different and it will depend on the availablity of accommodation. They may get placed in a hostel, b&b accommodation as most councils will already have a list of parents with child and homeless on their list.
I know a couple who were homeless and pregnant with another young child ended up in b&b for 2 months before being put in temp accommodation, still waiting for a property over a year later

Oldernotwiser

saintscouple wrote: »

She apparantly doesn't qualify for any payments as she hasn't earnt enough national insurance credits, even though she was at college.



Thanks i'll look in to LHA.
May i ask what would constitue high priorty, as i thought parents with child and homeless would be classed as high priorty?

You don't have to have made contributions to claim means tested JSA.

In the south east, council housing's at a premium and there isn't enough to offer every young couple with a baby on the way; moving out of their home area probably hasn't helped.

What's the problem with them renting privately?