Social fund?

BERFFRO

Basically, me and my partner have been told to leave our current address due to a long battle for HB our landlord cannot wait anymore. We think we might be able to get somewhere else but it is unfurnished we'll take a loan out to cover the first months rent. Im wondering if we would be able to get a social grant or anything similar? I claim JSA contribution based and my partner is a student.

tcr_3

You normally need to be on income based JSA to qualify for budgeting loans. But you might qualify for a Crisis Loan for "rent in advance" ... but they won't be able to help with a deposit. There might be schemes in your own area which help with deposits, best to contact your local council or citizen's advice on that.

You won't qualify for a Social Fund grant / Community Care Grant at the moment, you need to be on income based JSA for that too.

Can't you just get down to the Council, find out what the problem is with your housing benefit application and tell them the landlord has told you to leave ? Won't that prompt them to get your claim sorted out ?

BERFFRO

tcr wrote: »

You normally need to be on income based JSA to qualify for budgeting loans. But you might qualify for a Crisis Loan for "rent in advance" ... but they won't be able to help with a deposit. There might be schemes in your own area which help with deposits, best to contact your local council or citizen's advice on that.

You won't qualify for a Social Fund grant / Community Care Grant at the moment, you need to be on income based JSA for that too.

Can't you just get down to the Council, find out what the problem is with your housing benefit application and tell them the landlord has told you to leave ? Won't that prompt them to get your claim sorted out ?

Thought as much i wouldn't qualify for the social fund grant, Might as well try for the crisis loan.

I do phone the council near enough everyday and pop in when i can, They've lost the paperwork on several occasions:mad: We have to move really as my partner is 6 months pregnant and this flat really isn't suitable for a baby. There is a lot of problems with it.

I'm not trying to sponge whatever i can from the benefit office, It's just that me and my partner have spent all our savings, student loans etc on keeping a roof above our heads! I'm just hoping a job will come my way soon.

bunny999

BERFFRO wrote: »

Thought as much i wouldn't qualify for the social fund grant, Might as well try for the crisis loan.

I do phone the council near enough everyday and pop in when i can, They've lost the paperwork on several occasions:mad: We have to move really as my partner is 6 months pregnant and this flat really isn't suitable for a baby. There is a lot of problems with it.

I'm not trying to sponge whatever i can from the benefit office, It's just that me and my partner have spent all our savings, student loans etc on keeping a roof above our heads! I'm just hoping a job will come my way soon.

oh yes you are

paulofessex

BERFFRO wrote: »

Basically, me and my partner have been told to leave our current address due to a long battle for HB our landlord cannot wait anymore. We think we might be able to get somewhere else but it is unfurnished we'll take a loan out to cover the first months rent. Im wondering if we would be able to get a social grant or anything similar? I claim JSA contribution based and my partner is a student.

1st point....Go to the council and ask to see the Homelessness Prevention Team for advice, they may well help to get their colleagues in HB to sort things out.

2nd...Don't just leave, if you can't secure funding to move now, the landlord has to follow eviction procedures. Go to SHELTER's website for detailed info of the process both parties have to follow. Of course spend this time in trying to raise a deposit.

3rd...Speak to SHELTER regarding possible rent deposit from Social Services under Section 17 Childrens Act, may be hard as child is unborn, but you should explore all avenues of support.

4th....Have you tried some of the manaul labour type Temping Agenices, some factory/packing work, may be not what your looking for but helps to fill a gap and also looks better on the CV

dreamylittledream

You can get a crisis loan to cover 1 months rent in advance if it will prevent the risk of homelessness. You will have to pay this back from your partner's JSA.

They won't pay a deposit/bond however and you'll need to have funds for this for the Social Fund to offer you a loan. They also won't pay any admin/referencing fees so you'll need to have funds in place for these too.

The council maybe able to help by underwriting the deposit for 12 months.

There are no grants from the Social Fund to secure new accomodation - even those who would qualify for a CCG have to take a crisis loan for the rent in advance element.

BERFFRO

bunny999 wrote: »

oh yes you are

Really? I have always worked never claimed for anything until now over 12 years of tax and NI paid and the only reason i lost my job is because i had a car crash and injured my back. If i'm really out for what i can get don't you think i would trying to claim disability as my back will never fully recover. All im after is a bit of help to for me and my family(i already have a daughter).

Have you tried living on £65.45 a week between 2 and paying £115 a week in rent? I doubt it.

BERFFRO

paulofessex wrote: »

1st point....Go to the council and ask to see the Homelessness Prevention Team for advice, they may well help to get their colleagues in HB to sort things out.

2nd...Don't just leave, if you can't secure funding to move now, the landlord has to follow eviction procedures. Go to SHELTER's website for detailed info of the process both parties have to follow. Of course spend this time in trying to raise a deposit.

3rd...Speak to SHELTER regarding possible rent deposit from Social Services under Section 17 Childrens Act, may be hard as child is unborn, but you should explore all avenues of support.

4th....Have you tried some of the manaul labour type Temping Agenices, some factory/packing work, may be not what your looking for but helps to fill a gap and also looks better on the CV

Thanks for your reply, We have been on the council waiting list for quite some time. So im thinking if we dont accept this house we will be placed at the bottom the pile. The council inspector himself has deemed my current address unsafe for children especially a baby! So it's really a matter of have to move.

I look every day or any kind of job, I always worked in a factory but there is no factory work around here now. Fingers crossed something will come up soon.

Mupette

good luck in trying to ring them

3 solid days of line engaged and i really need to speak with them as i am moving in a week and a half

briona

BERFFRO wrote: »

We think we might be able to get somewhere else but it is unfurnished we'll take a loan out to cover the first months rent.

With regards to the furniture issue, I’m not sure if you’ve seen the thread below? There is lots of useful advice as well as links to places where you might find very affordable furniture. See: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2457485

BERFFRO wrote: »

We have to move really as my partner is 6 months pregnant and this flat really isn't suitable for a baby. There is a lot of problems with it.

On another note, I’m nor sure if you’re aware of the benefits available to mothers-to-be and (new) parents? Off the top of my head here goes:

The first thing that comes to mind is the Health in Pregnancy Grant – a one off payment of £190 which can be claimed from the 25th week of pregnancy. Further details on the following link: http://campaigns2.direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be/en/

Then there's the Healthy Start tokens – vouchers worth £3.10 each that can be spent on milk, fresh fruit and vegetables or infant formula. See: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018986

There is also the Sure Start Maternity Grant – a one-off payment of £500 which can ONLY be claimed in the following period: 11 weeks before the baby is born until the time the baby is 3 months old. See: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Expectingorbringingupchildren/DG_10018854

Obviously once the baby is born you will get Child Benefit (currently £20.30pw for the first child and £13.40pw for each subsequent child). See: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/childbenefit/index.htm

Finally there's Tax Credits. Unfortunately I know very little about these so besides providing you with the link below, I'll let someone else explain further! See: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/TaxCreditsandChildBenefit/TaxCredits/Gettingstarted/whoqualifies/index.htm

Note that for some of what I've listed above you need to be claiming income-based JSA (or other income-based benefits). However your situation may be different depending on what income, if any, your student partner has.

Hope that helps.

Briona