need advice and help

tripletsmom

i am a mother of almost 3 year old triplets. i havent been able to work since i had the children as its virtually impossible to find someone who wants to take care of triplets. and to hire 2 nannies wouldnt make sense financially. my husbnd and i have coped quite well until last year he lost his job and we are now left with nothing.
we applied for housing benefits in january but the council systems were being upgraded and they couldnt process our claim. in the mean time, our landlord has gotten quite agitated and i called in desperation and was given an interim payment.
we are entiltled to housing benefits and have provided all the documents they requested.
i am currently dealing with serious medical issues as it is suspected i have cancer and im waiting for the surgery and biopsy date from the hospital. i have been very unwell. my husband cannot claim jsa as he cannot look for a job because he is the one taking care of me and the children.
my problem is, after the interim payment, we have heard nothing else from the housing benefits people or gotten an award letter.
last week i called and was told their systems are still down.
does that mean the interim payment was a one off?
we are currently in arrears with our rent and our landlord has notified us that he is taking us to court.
we also applied for the housing benefits to be backdated for 3 months with the reason that we couldn't apply earlier because of the my illness and the triplets. it is impossible for one person to go anywhere with triplets. we do not have a car.
please any advice or help on this matter will be very greatly appreciated as we i am at my wits end. i have to muster strength to deal with my medicl issues but the thought that we could be homeless soon is killing me. my babies are still very young and i just want to be able to provide them shelter and food. nothing else matters.
please please please, what do i do?

tsstss7

Hi sorry I cannot offer much advice in your situation but have you enquired about other sorts of benefit eg child tax credit etc. I thinkyou would poss benefit from advice from cab about benefits that might be able to helpin your situation.

dmg24

They can make a further interim payment, but you need to speak to them again. Give them a call tomorrow and let us know what they say.

allen35

First things first you need to contact your benefits office asap and notify them your landlord has informed you he is going to commence court procedures to evict on the grounds of rent arrears. If you get no help it may be a good idea to contact your MP/Local Counsellor

Secondly you may be able to apply for ESA (0800 055 66 88) http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/esa/index.htm
which is sickness benefit, i understand that if your partner is entitled to JSA you cannot claim but based on your current circumstances there is a case for your partner being the parent with care responsibilities for children under 5 due to your condition and not being able to meet the criteria for JSA.

Visit this link to directgov http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/FinancialSupport/DisabilityLivingAllowance/DG_10011816

You may be entitled to Disability Living Allowance and if awarded at least the middle rate of care your partner could then apply for carers allowance.

I wish you all the best with health.

tripletsmom

hello again, their systems have just come up and i have to wait a couple of weeks to find out whats going on. also they said they address where i sent my letter for backdating is no longer valid and they have changed it> its still the same address on their website though.
what can i do?
i am interested mostly in paying my rent now. will sort out other benefits once i know my children will not end up homeless on top of everything.