Where do I start ? no point going on !

Can't_Get_Straight

Hi, panic set in again today as the Council are adamant they won't help and deny they said our HB would cover the rent. Ay my wits end. With My credit history we have no chance of renting anywhere else now as I keep checking private ads, but they are extremely limited and it's getting to me even more. My husband is slipping away into a black hole and I am stood at the entrance waiting.

I can't even think about all those debts at the moment, as I'm consumed with finding a home now.

Does anyone know how to swindle the system as that seems to be the only way to do it thesedays, as we keep meeting people that didn't need help but got it anyway ???

Can't_Get_Straight

Jules_getting_straight! wrote:

I have friends who were in a similar situation to you. I won't go in to the details too much, but I just wanted you to know that they went to the Citizens Advice Bureaux who gave them help and advice to find a house and reduce their debts. They are now paying back what they can afford each month, and although their debts won't be clear for some time, they feel that they can see light at the end of the tunnel and are certainly much happier now than they have been for quite some time. If you haven't already, I would recommend seeking advice from CAB.

I hope you can sort out your problems. Remember, however bad it seems at the moment - things will get better!

Jules

Thank you

Like I said on paper, it seems that we are in the wrong, but I am contacting everyone that people have advised me to again and hoping for the best

SeaSmart

I seriously can't believe this! I am f*cking angry beyond belief. I don't know much at all about how housing benefit works but why does everything have to be so f*cking black and white with the council! Why can't they apply an iota of common sense to certain cases! ITS BLOODY CLEAR this woman is not going to make herself intentionally homeless with children and an ill hubby.
I am so angry my blood is almost boiling. This intentionally homeless thing is an absolutel load of bull!!!!.....gggggggrrrrrr:mad: :mad: :mad: :mad:

CGS is there anyone that could put you up should the sh*t hit the fan? I'm sure it wont come to that and i hopeit wont but there must be someone close that would not see you out on the streets.

I am seriously in disblief but maybe thats because i am ignorant to a certain degree. I am not experienced and knowledgeable of how housing benefit works.

Still can't believe this IH bullshyte tho.

CGS i hope everything works out ok for you i really do. You and your poor hubby and kiddies.

SS

chevalier

HI there
I know you are desparate to find a home, but a couple of things.
1) Has your husband's depression been officially diagnosed? Ie he has seen the doctor and getting help. I am recovering from moderate depression. I went to my doctor in desparation, because I was afraid I was going to do something really stupid. When I went through my symptoms with him, he was great. It was such a relief to know that there WAS something wrong with me. I have been taking anti depressants for 4 months now, and I can now see how ill I was. I can cope much better now.
I don't know if having your OH illness in writing from the Doctor would help, with regard to your housing situation, but it couldn't hurt with regard to fighting the intentionally homeless cr*p that you are going through.

Secondly as someone suggested you really need to check your credit rating for the debts. If they are more than 6 years old and you have had NO contact with the creditor in this time, you can apply to the credit reference agency to have them taken off your credit reference. Don't contact the creditor though as I think that this would then restart the 6 year period and the debt would count against you again.

Third for those creditors you have currently, I would suggest a form letter a long the lines of

Dear xxxx
This is to inform you that we are being made homeless . We will not therefore be able to service the debt we have fully with you. Therefore, until we have found a home for ourselves we will only be able to pay a token payment of £1. We would appreciate it therefore if you could freeze the interest on our debt. This would enable us to contact CCCS (or payplan), in order to restart payments via them to you.

Yours sincerely

xxxxx

In this way you are keeping them in the loop. The worst thing you can do is NOT tell them, as they will take a dimmer view of your debt and pursue you harder for it.

Finally even if you are moving around, I would still strong suggest your contact CCCS or Payplan. These are both credit management agencies, but unlike others they DON'T charge, so all the money you pay them comes off your debt. You have to be honest with them, which can be uncomfortable, but by going through them your creditors will see you are trying to sort things out, and back off.

Please please don't put off going to the Dr's about this. I thought I could cope on my own. Depression wasn't going to happen to me. But it did. I still have a long road, but wouldn't it be a help if this was one thing you could sort out for yourself NOW?

You have my deepest sympathy.
Best of luck chev

Can't_Get_Straight

Thank you to those who replied and offered advise and compassion, it was very well received.

My update isn't good. The Council still will not budge even after speaking to a Solicitor and CAB who says that what's black and white on paper makes me look in the wrong, so there's basically nothing I can do and they will not rehouse me under any circumstances.

I have contacted some of my debtors (the ones I can remember) and awaiting forms for re-evaluation on what I should pay, although on the money I get, I will only be able to pay them 50p a week at this rate, there's so many of them. I have sold many things for a pittance to pay some basic bills that were overdue, and have nothing left to sell but basic furniture, which I need for my children. We were going to sell our car too, which was a banger really, but it broke down and something major in the engine went, so we had to have it removed to a scrap yard and got nothing back.

I've had the worst week ever. My landlord confirmed they are selling the house, so I have less than 2 months to find somewhere, with what chance. I have a disgraceful credit history that no Agency will touch and I can't find anywhere privately that will accept children and a mother on Housing Benefit. I can't even find a house that Housing Benefit will cover, because of the top up, I just can't afford that too. Sorry to waffle, Just ignore, in a state of panic.

Too top it all, with my husband being so ill and not being able to cope, he left me. He doesn't know what day of the week it is most days and has gone to live with his relatives. My kids are heartbroken, so am I and I'm left to deal with everything on top of potentially being homeless.

If God is testing me, can someone please tell him that I'm not brainy enough to qualify for his degree, it's just too hard

I've had everything drained out of me, I merely wake up, sort out my kids, cry all day, sort my kids out again, then go to bed and cry more.

I wish that Angel :A would hurry up and come get me ............

cathybird

hi can't get straight, I can't believe how difficult things are for you at the moment. I don't know what to say except that it's 3am and when things are bad they always look their worst around this time of the morning. Do you think you can maybe get some rest and then in the morning there will be loads of people on the chat forums who can offer support and advice. There simply MUST be some kind of housing option for you. It's just a joke!! I'll try to see if I can think of something by the morning, when I am more awake than I am now. Hang in there - surely things can only look up for you from now on. I hope that angel kicks in for you.

stellagypsy

CGS - contact Social Services for rehousing under The Children's Act.

HTH, Stella xx

freebird65

Hi there....can't offer any help as I don't know anything about how council housing works, but here's a "bump" for someone that does.

Whereabouts in the country are you based? Maybe someone in your area knows something you don't that would help - especially as you're struggling to think straight right now.

You're going through a rough time right now, but hang in there - it WILL get better.

Hugs

Verbatim

Ho'
What a nightmare for you. Hang in there. What did the CAB suggest ? There must be some ideas they can come up with. Someone else suggested getting your MP involved. I used to work for the CAB and later for a Local Authority and whenever an MP got involved senior bods at the council demanded action fast!

Hope you managed some sleep?

Take care of yourself. Hugs,
V

lynzpower

Right Im back

Sorry, I havent caught up with you, but I just cannot believe what bull you are being fed.

PLease Pm me your phone number ( landline please ) and Ill give you a quick ring to talk you through it.