Left alone with no help

thorsoak

Amy - talk to one of your tutors - s/he will be able to put you in touch with the college student counsellors who will be able to help you.

Sending you {{hugs}} - have you spoken to your HR dept at work? They too will be able to point you in the right direction. Stay strong love - you can get through this, and you aren't alone - you find all sorts of help from this board!

Indie_Kid

chesky369 wrote: »

Your college MUST have a student welfare officer - I'm sure they will be helpful if you go to them.

They are normally found within student srvices.

tanith

Just wanted to say so sorry about your Dad do you have any other family that you could talk to? But do talk to someone at college they well point you in the right direction

Fire_Fox

I know a 17 year old college student estranged from her mum who was entitled to income support and housing benefit. At 19 she went to university on a full grant and loan instead of IS and LHA, tho there were loads of hoops to jump through even a letter from a social worker was not enough initially. You can definitely get an exemption letter for council tax from college if you are a full time student.

anniestar

Nothing useful to add. Just wanted to send you my condolences on the loss of your dad. I am so sorry for your loss.

bubba1585

Hi Amy
As you are estranged from your mum there may be entitlement to Income Support, if the course started before your 19th birthday is one of the main factors. Its worth ringing up and putting in a claim because not all cases are the same. (0800 0556688) Your wages will be taken into account though bar a small disregard. No council tax for full time student, did your dad have life insurance to pay off the mortgage?

bubba1585

Hi Amy
I would put in a claim for Income support on the basis that you are estranged in full time education. We get these cases in all the time and you may find you are actually entitled to some help. The course needs to have started before your 19th birthday among other criteria. Your income from work will be taken into account bar a small disregard. Can't say for certain you will be entitled after its all calculated but you have nothing to lose by claiming. The number to make a claim is 0800 055 6688.
Also find out if your dad had life insurance to pay off the mortgage if there is one outstanding.

gorgeousgeorge

So sorry to hear of your loss, there is nothing I can advise you to do, as it has already been said. I hope that you manage to get some help with everything.

ajones28

My heart really goes out to you my love, and it may not seem like it now but you will get through this you know, just take each day as it comes. As in previous posts, I am not sure exactly what you will be entitled to but the best thing to do is to try to confide in a College Tutor who you feel comfortable speaking to. They may be able to at least point you in the right direction for advice on what you are entitled to. CAB are very very good, but due to this it can take forever to get in to see them.
Also something unfortunately quite personal, did your Dad have any savings that would cover the cost of his funeral or is this something else you are concerned about. The reason I am asking is you may possibly be entitled to a Funeral Grant from the DSS. You need to speak to your local Jobcentre about this. Try to get a few days off so that you can get your affairs sorted out. Ring your local Jobcentre first though (the number should be in your Yellow Pages) as you would normally need an appointment - although they may be sympathetic if you just turn up.
You may also be entitled to a Crisis loan if you do find yourself with no money whatsoever for food, electricity, gas etc. Generally these loans are given to people who are on Benefits, but anyone can apply for one if absolutely penniless. I had one myself when I was working; unfortunately admin made an error leaving 20 of the workforce unpaid, myself included, we had to wait 3 working days for the money to go into our bank accounts. I called them for help (0800 169 9891) advising them I had absolutely no money for myself and my 2 children to live on and they borrowed me £75.50 to get me through until I received my wages. I agreed to send a postal Order in each week for just over £5 to repay it.
Take care, and as I have already said just take each day as it comes.