Only allowed a 1 bed flat with 2 teenage boys?

needinghelpplease

Hi
I'm a 42 year old recently divorced mother to 2 teenage boys (15 and 17, both are stil lin full time education), when me and my ex split it was agreed to boys would remain in the family home with dad as both their schools we close by. I moved in with a friend and a year on they are selling their home and obviously want me out

I am out of work at the moment, not for want of trying, I've applied for close to 100 jobs and nothing. I recieve housing and job seekers and went to the housing offices and was told as I'm a 'part time mum' (this infuriated me!) i was only entitiled to a 1 bedroom flat, i explained i have my boys twice a week, and one weekend in 4 and was basically told 'you dont have them enough to warrent offering you a bigger place, they can sleep in the lounge on the floor'

Surely this isnt right? thank you for any help or replies

RAS

Hi

The state will only support the main residence for any child; which is one reason why it is so hard for non-resident parents to have their children stay over.

You can rent a two bed flat/house if you want as long as the rent does not exceed the Local Housing Allowance for a one bedroom place.

cosmic-dust

needinghelpplease wrote: »

Hi
I'm a 42 year old recently divorced mother to 2 teenage boys (15 and 17, both are stil lin full time education), when me and my ex split it was agreed to boys would remain in the family home with dad as both their schools we close by. I moved in with a friend and a year on they are selling their home and obviously want me out

I am out of work at the moment, not for want of trying, I've applied for close to 100 jobs and nothing. I recieve housing and job seekers and went to the housing offices and was told as I'm a 'part time mum' (this infuriated me!) i was only entitiled to a 1 bedroom flat, i explained i have my boys twice a week, and one weekend in 4 and was basically told 'you dont have them enough to warrent offering you a bigger place, they can sleep in the lounge on the floor'

Surely this isnt right? thank you for any help or replies

It is correct.
You could do what many non resident father's do, give the boys your bedroom when they stay over and you sleep on the sofa or get yourself a blow up bed for the living room.

BigAunty

Yes, otherwise the LHA/HB bill would be astronomical if childrens rooms are counted twice across separate properties. So both expensive and a cause of under occupation, and thus adds more strain to the housing crisis.

It's not their primary residence and thus they are excluded from the LHA rate you are eligible for. There's nothing to stop you from renting a 2 bedroom property and making up the difference between the rent and your LHA from your other benefits, child support or savings.

It's even worse for solo parents without resident children if the parent is under 25, soon to change to 35 years of age - they will only receive LHA equivalent to a room in a shared property (i.e. houseshare or lodgings) where they are extremely unlikely to be welcome to have their kids to stay because the living room is used by others.

Get yourself a couple of futon bed rolls, or camp beds, or blow up mattresses, or a sofa bed. You might be able to bag this for free from Gumtree freebies, Freecycle, Freegle, etc.

Morlock

Unfortunately, it is correct. There are many people, mostly fathers, in the same situation. Shared-care is not officially recognised, you are a single-person in regard to officialdom. Hence, in a situation where parents have 50/50 care, one parent will receive all of the benefits associated with being a 'main' carer, whilst the other parent receives none.

It can be a real struggle caring for children half of the week and half of the holidays whilst receiving £60 odd pounds a week JSA and living in a one-bedroom flat. On the bright side, you may be ineligible to pay child support out of your JSA if you meet the criteria.

paddygirl

You only have access to your sons. So you are only entitled to a 1 bed.