where to get help and advice

bombsite

hi all

i have found myself in a desperate situation, i was a lone parent of one child aged 16, i live in my own home(mortgaged) and worked full time up until 2004 when i was diagnosed with breast cancer following an eternity of chemo ect, i was given a full mastectomy and had chest muscles and glands removed, this has left my upper body numb and my right arm almost unusable - i was given income support and low DLA (thier opinion was that feeling should be restored in time?) i still receive child benefit and tax credits for my daughter (a level ) - in january 2006 my dear sister lost her battle with cancer and died, she left behind 2 children aged 12 and 16 ( their father is untraceable), the children came to live with me as their only relative left, now i get child benefit and credits for the youngest + guardians allowance of £12.50, the eldest has left school after suffering a breakdown because he could not save his mum, bless him (he has bereavement counselling) - thought i would be able to cope and after discussions with my bank and enough equity in my home, i remortgaged to build a bedroom for them, but now i am finding life so difficult the extra mortgage and bills are destroying me, please can someone advise me where i can get some help - i tried social services and they suggested i place the youngest in care, doing that would kill me for sure, its not their fault we are in this position.

sorry i have rambled

any advice however small will be truly appreciated.

Fran

Hi bombsite,

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Have you been to Citizens Advice? CAB or another welfare benefits advisor in your area would be able to check you are receiving all the help you should be, there might be something they know about locally or something on their system that you aren't aware of.

Can you get the 16 year old to register with Careers Service or Connexions Service as outlined below? Then you could claim Child Tax Credits for him which would help.

HMRC website:-

(Re entitlement to Child Tax Credit)

a young person aged 16 or 17 who has left full-time education, does not work more than 24 hours a week or have a paid training place and has registered with the Careers Service or Connexions Service (the Connexions Service does not operate in Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland),

provided that child or young person
is not claiming benefits (such as Income Support) or tax credits in his or her own right, or
is not serving a custodial sentence of more than four months imposed by a court, or
has not been placed with you for fostering or adoption in cases where the local authority is paying you for the cost of caring for that young person under section 23 Children Act 1989 (in Scotland, section 26 Children (Scotland) Act 1995 and in Northern Ireland, Article 27 Children (Northern Ireland) Order 1995).

Also are you getting Council Tax Benefit? (Contact your local council if not.)

bombsite

hi fran

thanks for your reply

i do already receive council tax benefit, because the eldest was working full time up until august, his company has given him unpaid leave " to sort himself out", he received a letter last week telling him his employment was under review - he has been supplying doctors letters and certs and even a letter from the councellor, but i suppose they need to employ someone else.

i spoke to CAB when all 1st happened and it was their advice which got me the £12.50 guardians allowance but that was all as far as they could see, they suggested i approach charities, parish support etc, but to no avail they could only help if we were homeless.

i realise i was very stupid to remortgage, but i coulnt afford to move and had to sleep on the front room floor so children could have bedrooms.

catch 22 as they say - still bewildered

Nile

Hello bombsite
I'm afraid I can't offer any practical help for you but it looks like Fran:T has made some good suggestions.

Have you had a look at the 'Old Style' board yet? They have some excellent money saving tips on food menus, cleaning...........all sorts of things, which will probably help your money go futher.;)

I hope you get the help you need soon and things improve for you, money wise and health too.

Kind Regards

Nile

bikerqueen

I'm not very good at the money stuff, but you need some support. From Cruse (bereavement charity) or any of the low cost/free counselling services that may be in your area, or Disability Rights charity - some one to help YOU deal with the situation you find yoursel in.