17 years old, pregnant...

BitterAndTwisted

There is absolutely no point in not going on the waiting-list because you think you're not a priority at the moment and there's too much competition. Once the baby is born you will be in more need and therefore should get higher up the list. That your current housing situation is sorely inadequate and very probably breaks every single Environmental Health guideline in the book will put you up there towards the top as well. It's just a pity that you might be overtaking other people who are a tiny bit better at planning while they wait, but needs must.

claire16c

Have you applied for any temping jobs? As your baby is not due for a while.

Hopefully your boyfriend will find a job soon as that is his best chance of getting you a flat. I have a friend who works with housing officers and she said that new rules are coming in, where they are going to be allowed to prioritise a certain amount of housing for people who are employed - so that they are rewarded for having a job rather than the other way round. So your chances will be better if he has a job, not only for private rental but also social housing.

Caroline_a

I think you should both find work of whatever sort you can - in your predicament unfortunately you can't be fussy! You should be able to work for at least another couple of months, most women now don't go on maternity leave until a couple of weeks before the baby is due.

What about your parents? What have they said about this?

j.e.j.

RiaPenido wrote: »

Cheers, the problem with going on the waiting list is that there is hundreds of people with the same problem at the moment so it would take ages thus not happening before the baby is born in may. Technically I'm homeless and only able to live here temporarily so I might try to play that up a bit.

Is it actually a waiting list or does your council do what a lot of them do these days and run a 'bidding system'?
If it's the latter then you might be in with a chance, because for instance someone in the highest priority category (Band A), will always have priority over an applicant in Band B,C or D, regardless of how long they've been on the list.
Hope that makes sense.

Ravenlady_2

As a couple under 25 your are limited to a bedsit rate in regards of housing benefit or LHA, any more room and you will have to pay the excess.
When you have your baby he or she will be expected to share the same room as you anyway and I think they only get counted once they turn 1 or 2?

Im pretty sure someone will be able to clarify this though as its been a fair while since I had to enquire.

Being only 20 weeks though you can still look for temp work.

Money_maker

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

If your boyfriend gets off his behind, his recent work experience could well translate into a job where he can provide a home for the child he has fathered. You could do temping for the next 10-15 weeks, no problem. More money.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this.

Your bf will need to find a permanent job so he can provide for the next 18 years for you both. As he has retail experience, perhaps he could print off his CV and approach every shop in your high street. Times are hard for retailers but persistance will pay off.

RiaPenido

Elle7 wrote: »

Yeah that won't work.

It doesn't matter if its temporary, the calculations are based on if you have somewhere to be now - and you do. Your situation is no different to if they put you in a B&B - you have somewhere to sleep tonight, so you are okay.

For them to consider you to have nowhere to stay your boyfriends parents would need to write a letter to formally evict you, and then the council will plague them with letters and emails to make them keep you for a while longer.

As you say, the lists are packed - you can apply, but people in my country are being housed now that have been on the list since 2008, and were second-priority.

I'd focus on getting your partner a job and borrowing or saving up a deposit. Do you work?
It's worth asking the council if they have an assured deposit scheme. It might be difficult to find a landlord who will accept a bond instead of a deposit, but its an option which would allow you to move.

Where abouts are you?

I'm in Sunbury which is in Spelthorne council. I want to find a home before I'm too pregnant to move house and get everything ready for the baby. Basically within a month, two max. Me and my boyfriend have sent off his CV to every job that comes out every single day. He's only been unemployed 5 days so far so as long as he gets a job within the next two weeks we will be fine.
I don't currently work because I'm pregnant and soon starting a course from home which should hopefully allow me to get a better job when I do find one.

I've looked into a budgeting loan but have no idea how to go about getting one. I've heard the council can lend you up to £1000 which would be more than enough with our current savings for a deposit and first months rent.

I'm very lost and distressed with all of this. The council are too confusing and I really think they should reform everything as it's all very inefficient!

esmf73

OP - I sympathise. Difficult situation and as you say nothing to do except make the best of it. For all the people (well-meaning) who suggest that she tried to find a job, most employers (even agencies) are being very picky at the moment and as for taking on someone who is unproven and pregnant - I think you'd be hardpressed in the extreme.

Are your parents approachable? Otherwise look in every charity shop etc going for baby things - thats what I did as they grow so fast. You'd be surprised at what you really need, rather than what you'd like! Best of luck xx

Elle7

RiaPenido wrote: »

I'm in Sunbury which is in Spelthorne council. I want to find a home before I'm too pregnant to move house and get everything ready for the baby. Basically within a month, two max. Me and my boyfriend have sent off his CV to every job that comes out every single day. He's only been unemployed 5 days so far so as long as he gets a job within the next two weeks we will be fine.
I don't currently work because I'm pregnant and soon starting a course from home which should hopefully allow me to get a better job when I do find one.

I've looked into a budgeting loan but have no idea how to go about getting one. I've heard the council can lend you up to £1000 which would be more than enough with our current savings for a deposit and first months rent.

I'm very lost and distressed with all of this. The council are too confusing and I really think they should reform everything as it's all very inefficient!

Your rate would be £75.23 per week. Is that realistic where you are?

For a budgeting loan, you print off forms from the direct gov website and send them in. They'll let you know if you are successful through the post.

Yes, I agree with it being inefficient! I appreciate how confusing all this is - my parents kicked me out at 16, and despite having nowhere to live and being disabled, and having a council with a bidding system which is apparantly a benefit, there is a huge amount of people on the list and I've been waiting 2 years already.

I am in Band B, which is the second-highest - so anyone under my band is considered after me, but anyone who joined the list before me is priority over me, so its a confusing system which doesn't seem to get anywhere.

I'd pick up the forms from the council and send them in, you might be lucky, but focus on sorting an alternative out too.

I wondered if you worked, because if you did you might get SMP. You'll get child benefit when the baby arrives, and I believe you can get Income Support.

Could you temp for a few weeks now to raise some money?

RiaPenido

Money_maker wrote: »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this.

Your bf will need to find a permanent job so he can provide for the next 18 years for you both. As he has retail experience, perhaps he could print off his CV and approach every shop in your high street. Times are hard for retailers but persistance will pay off.

He applies for 10-15 jobs a day he has only been unemployed for 5 days. I'm looking for work I can do once or twice a week as I've been very ill recently. But realistically I won't start working until the baby is 1.