About to become homeless with no income and panicking as don't know where to begin.

CRJKR78

Not sure if I can delete this thread as I'm very thankful for all the time and effort people have put in to give me advice.

I'm aware that what I've put could be seen and put me a in another very sensitive position with family so have opted to remove this. Again thanks to everyone who has helped and given me very important and sound advice

flappy_mcwarbucks

i'd put in a JSA claim tomorrow morning, and then run down to the council and see if they have anything regarding help with deposits, and also to enquire about LHA (a housing benefit system). The JobCenter can help, as you can apply for a 'Crisis Loan' which *can* in some cases cover a deposit.

I would then get in contact with private landlords directly (and i mean directly, call them up) and state your case. most will listen and consider you as a tenant providing you do as they say, when they tell you to do it. (typically, they will inflate the rent to cover the risk etc..) As long as you're upfront and honest about it, it will hold favour in your court.

You don't have many cards to play, so the ones you do have, play them well.

Xiderpunk

I have sympathy for your situation, however it seems to me that really your only barrier to getting out of this pickle is your unemployed status. There is always work out there for someone willing to turn their hand to anything although it sounds as though you are putting benefits and council help before self-help in your wording above.

Being employed in ANY job not only provides financial independence it also will let you take control of your life rather than be either dependent on your partner or dependent on the state (the tax payers).

CRJKR78

Xiderpunk wrote: »

I have sympathy for your situation, however it seems to me that really your only barrier to getting out of this pickle is your unemployed status. There is always work out there for someone willing to turn their hand to anything although it sounds as though you are putting benefits and council help before self-help in your wording above.

Being employed in ANY job not only provides financial independence it also will let you take control of your life rather than be either dependent on your partner or dependent on the state (the tax payers).

Thanks for your help and I do realise how it could have sounded with me saying about benefits etc.

It's not a case of me wanting to sit on benefits rather than working, just that I know I'm able to make a claim immediately and have something in motion whereas I can look for work but will not necessarily be given employment in the same timeframe. Even if I am looking for work which I will be, I would still need to put a benefit claim in whilst looking otherwise I'm earning nothing in the time it may take me to find work.

I know there are plenty of jobs if you're prepared to do anything but am not sure there's always something you can walk into in a day or two. Some of this is assumptions and I am not quite thinking in a fully calm manner due to the circumstances (the worst thing is getting panicked when you don't know where to begin or what may or may not happen) but I just thought it would be best to start to put a claim in first whilst looking at work.

I don't agree with people that have no intention of working and just want to sit and claim anyway so that definitely wasn't my intention!

[Deleted User]

I'm afraid I'd give up on the council right now. As you are single, they will decide they have no responsibility to house you. If you need confirmation of this, speak to Shelter. The most they will do is give u a list of hostels (and not all boroughs will do even this).

I'd take a stepwise approach. As others have said, look to getting a job.., any job. You might find this even helps ur relationship. However much u say your partner is kind enough to support you, believe you me, having you not working will not help your reliatonship (been there done it as the partner lol). Part time work, several jobs, whatever u can find as a starting point. Don't limit yourself to a 'fancy' job!

If you are working, Landlords WILL look on you much more favourably than if u aren't.., but u may have to forget looking for a flat. Its kind of like when u first left home again.., look for a room. Cheaper and u don't normally need to furnish it. You will probably need to find a deposit of some kind though. With house shares, most will want a deposit, with a 'lodger' arrangement most people will look for a week or two's rent in advance. Rooms are usually advertised in shop windows and are a little more easily available than flats.

If you look hard and aren't choosy (as a starting point) I'd expect u to be working within two weeks, certainly a month. Maybe you are putting it off by looking for the problems rather than setting an attainable target? Not criticising, just trying to make you think.

Being homeless is too much of a risk in your situation, I'd stop hoping for the best and put everything into making sure this doesn't happen. If your partner needs you to help with child care .., I'd explain calmly that given your current unstable situation u need to look for work, and won't be available as often as you have been for childcare so she can start forward planning too.

paddyrg

Remember that 'essential' furniture is not essential. All you *need* is a matress/foam cushions and a microwave, you can get those on freegle. It won't be ideal, but it stops it being an excuse. If you are not employed why would you need a washing machine? Do it by hand, you have the time! You get the drift, and soon enough you will get fully furnished via freegle, so just get a place sorted.

Mupette

The council can offer a hostel..

You have no choice, you take it.. or you get a cardboard box and sleep in a doorway.

Hostels are not brilliant but it will be more of an incentive to get out of there asap.

Ive been fortunate that i have never needed to go to a hostel, friends have and they can be grim, but beggers can not be choosers sorry.

At least it will give you a base to start from.
Whilst you take away the cooker, what will your partner cook on to provide healthy meals for your child and her other children?

I ask this because when i split up and divorced with my ex, he thought he was being reasonable taking the fridge and cooker... and expected me to provide healthy food, his words...

took my mum to have a word with him about being selfish as he had money, and that when he leaves the marital home i would have to claim benefits as i would no longer be able to work..

I'd say swallow your pride and take the hostel, your out of the house and maybe space between you and your partner might help.. or you start afresh.

birduk

Can I ask what you do at the moment? You say that you don't work and your partner provides for you? Can I ask why this is? It might help us decide what kind of way forward there is for you?

I know that a partner being at home and not working has put a massive strain on a past relationship of mine. From the other side of the fence you start to feel like they have a weak character and you start picking on other things which aren't really the root of the problem. Maybe if you get a job and start being responsible for your own life she might regain that respect for you and you can move forward in the future?

tanith

Finding work is going to be your priority before you make any other moves... you never know making a commitment to finding work may help with your relationship as the others have said..

flappy_mcwarbucks

monkeyblue wrote: »

Crisis loans are not given for rent or deposits. Speak to your local council who may have a scheme that helps with a deposit.

Crises loans *can be* used as a deposit. As i was told this by a charity a few years ago when i was very nearly in the same situation.

Fact of the matter is the council will not house you. You got more chance of hell freezing over then the council giving you a place, so you need to get on the private rental market, and start hunting.