Crisis loan question

leikela

Hi,
Need some advice about a bit of a sticky situation I'm in, really hoping someone out there has more knowledge than me. Long story short: in September my working tax credits were stopped, leaving me £600 worse off each month. In hindsight I should have seen it coming, I realise that, but I've learned a rather harsh lesson from that. In effect, the WTC was paying for my rent each month so when it abruptly stopped in September, I subsequently defaulted on my rent. For the past four months I haven't been able to afford my rent although I did approach the agent the day after I realised the payment had been declined and offered two different ways to pay until I could rectify my financial situation. Both were declined. I've just started to receive housing benefit after a massive wait so that has helped somewhat. However, the homeowner is now, understandably, seeking reposession due to the rent arrears. I have just found out about crisis loans but I don't know if I will be eligible for the rent in advance loan as I am passed the "notice to quit" date and already at the court stage. Anyone have a clue how they work and/or could advise on any other options I could go down?
Thank you in advance

Mikazaru

Why did your WTC stop?
Do you receive HB at all?

leikela

I started work in Nov 2009 after being on income support/weekend job since feb 2008 so I received the full WTC allocation as I'd been on benefits the previous tax year (2008-2009) then the subsequent tax year (2009-2010) I earned less than £10k as I'd only worked four months. As I had worked full time between Apr 2010 and Mar 2011 I was then ineligible for WTC as I'd earned over the maximum and of course it runs a year behind. I'm in receipt of HB now, £36 a week which isn't massive but anything is a help right now.

Vejovis

a crisis loan will not pay for rent arrears. you must be on a reasonable wage if you're not entitled to wtc, have you done anything to lower your outgoings?

suelees1

no you won't get a CL for rent arrrears. Try applying to the LA for a discretionary housing payment to give you some addional help towards your rent.

Lady_gaga

So it didn't stop abruptly, you knew it was going to stop but didn't make any provision for the drop in income? sounds like it's your outgoings that are the issue here, post an SOA on the debt free wannabee board and see what help you can get there.

leikela

Perhaps I wasn't clear - the week I got my renewal through the post the WTC stopped. Had I been more informed about the system, income boundaries etc then yes of course I would have made provisions for it. And, like I said previously, I was stupid and naive and have learned from it