Childcare

ever

Hi everyone. I've posted a few times about benefits for the disabled, as my husband is newly disabled as of the end of July. I have a handle of the things I need to apply for and notify (change of circumstance to tax credits and housing benefits because he's now on SSP, DLA in a month and a half, income support after, etc.), but none of them will be timely. Housing benefit will be the largest amount, I guess, but they've told me it will take 4 weeks to process *after* they get proof of SSP, which is only at the end of this month on his paystub. So at least 6 weeks before I can hope for housing benefit.

Anyway, my main question is whether there's any kind of subsidized childcare that I can get. My husband had a stroke last night and I have no one to watch my children so that I can see him and no idea when he will be able to come home. He can't sit, stand, walk, barely speak, anything. I'm beside myself with worry over him and money. We can't afford to pay for childcare. Not until benefits are sorted out weeks from now. My son just started nursery from 1-3:30pm (he's 3 years old), but my daughter is 1.5 years old, so there's nothing free for her (that I know about).

I'm just desperate right now. When he wasn't this bad, I was managing walking the kids up to the hospital and back everyday, but I can't take them with me now. Is there anything I can do or anyone to contact for this? Is there anything in place for this kind of situation? I have no family in the area. My husband's parents and siblings live in Nottingham and have jobs, so they can't come up but once every couple of weeks.

I know I'm rambling on and I'm really sorry. Basically, does anyone know if there's any kind of childcare/daycare/anything that would be free for a situation like this? I'm a stay-at-home mom, and we get child tax credits and working tax credits. I'm happy to provide any other pertinent information. I'd also like to know if there's anything I can do or say to get the benefits stuff to happen quicker. Should I contact my MP? Or do they not make special exceptions/quicker processing at all? It's not that I feel like I'm entitled over anyone else-- I just don't know how we're going to survive otherwise. I'm American and have to apply for my permanent residency next month and it's £840 that we just do not have, so that's hanging over my head as well.

Any input whatsoever would be very greatly appreciated. I'm just totally out of my depth and don't know what to do.

kingfisherblue

Try Homestart - they have volunteers who help families with children under 5.

www.home-start.org.uk

You could also contact your local Surestart centre to see if they can help, or ask at the hospital if there is anything local.

I think in a previous post, you mentioned a heart condition. Have you thought about contacting relevant charities for advice? Maybe the British Heart Foundation?

Hope your husband starts to recover soon x

ever

Surestart-- that's a great idea. I'll call on Monday along with Homestart.

It didn't even occur to me to contact a heart- or stroke-related charity. I'm so used to being on the giving end I didn't even realize the receiving end was an option.

Thank you

Indie_Kid

Is there anyone at the hospital who you can talk to about this? I'm sure you're not the only one whose in this situation.

kazzah60

My reply was going to be try homestart too - I see that Kingfisher has advised this

I just wanted to say I hope your Hubby recovers soon and that you are doing the right thing by seeking help - as a volunteer with a disabled childrens charity, nothing gives me greater fulfillment than helping a family in a difficult situation like you are - it makes my efforts worthwhile

I hope you get lots of help and support

AnxiousMum

So sorry to hear about your husband's health issues - not easy at any time to deal with, let alone being in a foreign country without your family around (likely) and two small children. If you need some immediate help - is there anything that the American Embassy can do to help you with your ILR application fee? I know that Embassies (and the American one is particuarly well known for it) always have emergency funds available to help their citizens abroad - it's a loan usually taken off of your taxes when you return to the States if you don't repay - but I would hope they would be able to assist you here and relieve you of some of the stress and worry. While I know it seems ironic that they might help a citizen with a loan or grant to apply for ILR elsewhere, I doubt they would want to see your family separated, particularly in this type of situation.
Others have been able to advise you with regards to Homestart - so make sure that you give them a call and see what they can do. You could also try the heart and stroke foundations - see if they might be able to help out in any way.

ever

sh1305 wrote: »

Is there anyone at the hospital who you can talk to about this? I'm sure you're not the only one whose in this situation.

I've asked around, but was just directed toward the CAB. This hospital, so far, has not been very communicative or helpful at all aside from treating the patients.

ever

AnxiousMum wrote: »

So sorry to hear about your husband's health issues - not easy at any time to deal with, let alone being in a foreign country without your family around (likely) and two small children. If you need some immediate help - is there anything that the American Embassy can do to help you with your ILR application fee? I know that Embassies (and the American one is particuarly well known for it) always have emergency funds available to help their citizens abroad - it's a loan usually taken off of your taxes when you return to the States if you don't repay - but I would hope they would be able to assist you here and relieve you of some of the stress and worry. While I know it seems ironic that they might help a citizen with a loan or grant to apply for ILR elsewhere, I doubt they would want to see your family separated, particularly in this type of situation.
Others have been able to advise you with regards to Homestart - so make sure that you give them a call and see what they can do. You could also try the heart and stroke foundations - see if they might be able to help out in any way.

I didn't know that was a possibility with the embassy, but I will most certainly try. I would never have thought to try there. Thanks very much! I'm calling Homestart first thing on Monday and so so so hope that we can get something set up.

ever

kazzah60 wrote: »

My reply was going to be try homestart too - I see that Kingfisher has advised this

I just wanted to say I hope your Hubby recovers soon and that you are doing the right thing by seeking help - as a volunteer with a disabled childrens charity, nothing gives me greater fulfillment than helping a family in a difficult situation like you are - it makes my efforts worthwhile

I hope you get lots of help and support

Thank you. This have given me some really good leads, so hopefully something will come together! Thank you for your well wishes And thank you for volunteering for people in situations like this. I'd never even thought about it before and now I can't be more grateful that there are organizations aimed at helping in things like this.

Penny-Pincher!!

Ever....social services may be helpful too. If your children are at school, the school may have some advice also.

PP
xx

AnxiousMum

ever wrote: »

I didn't know that was a possibility with the embassy, but I will most certainly try. I would never have thought to try there. Thanks very much! I'm calling Homestart first thing on Monday and so so so hope that we can get something set up.

One of their mandates is to assist their citizens whilst overseas - you need some assistance......and I hope the Embassy can be there for you.