Homelessness & Croydon Council

Dunroamin

krisskross wrote: »

That is a huge amount of money. Add in about £800 a month for housing costs and you are being given the equivalent of a £35K a year salary.

Will you be able to earn that much?

I didn't realise we were so poor, living on far far less than that.

You're underestimating it by a mile!

LHA for a 3 bed house in Croydon is £300 a week and a 4 bed is £392.

With council tax on top, that's going to be at least £1,400 a month in housing costs.

thorsoak

You state that your two older children are in education ......what funding does the oldest one receive? A proportion of that will be for his/her housing - so that amount should go into the "pot" for your rent - plus an amount for food/heating.

Are you not receiving child maintenance from the other childrens' father/s? If not - chase them!

barnaby-bear

BarbaraJ5 wrote: »

When looking at it this way, it does appear to be different, but i don't get paid weekly. The only thing i get is IS 4tnightly and have debts as well as direct debits, which takes money every week from my account, so i never see the 348 as you do

Can you post on the debt free wannabe board, you shouldn't be paying the debts if it means you are endangering your housing options? Benefits are for subsistance living not furnish past debts - you may well be better off going bankrupt or having the debt charities negotiate.

Dunroamin

thorsoak wrote: »

You state that your two older children are in education ......what funding does the oldest one receive? A proportion of that will be for his/her housing - so that amount should go into the "pot" for your rent - plus an amount for food/heating.

Are you not receiving child maintenance from the other childrens' father/s? If not - chase them!

Part of the OP's income will be CB/CTC for the children who are in education. I don't get the impression that he's getting a student loan and grant.

princessdon

End of the day you have more in benefits that most people do working who get no help. If you can't survive on that then it's down to spending issues not income related.

My best friend supports 2 children and a mortgage with half your disposable income.

BlushingRose

I think I'd get myself down to the CAB for advice if it were me.

Your 18 year old is old enough to be housed separately, not ideal I know, but that might be how the council will see it.

Please do what we on the debt-free wannbe thread tend to ask for, a SOA, a statement of affairs which might highlight where some savings can be made which will help with the debts.

PippaGirl_2

Blushing Rose, the Government is about to end HB for under 25's totally so if the 18 year old doesn't stay home they will end up on a park bench so housing him separately is not really an option. Also she'd lose her CB and CTC for him which more than covers the cost of their living there so she'd be worse of financially too.

starframe18

Hi, just ignore those who don't say anything helpful on here. Benefits are always a sore subject. I don't live in croydon but I received a sec 21 with no reason on it. The homeless team will contact them over why it was given so try as find out yourself first. I didn't have rent arrears but told them I couldn't guaranteed the rent every month. I have 2 children so they found me a place in a hostel about 20 mins drive away from my old house. Its not great but better than being on the street. The cannot guarantee any area so I have to wait and see as it takes 6 months or more to be rehoused. They weren't helpful until I moved into the hostel as I presume they are trying to see if you have somewhere else to go. I know a lady with 3 children in here, the youngest child is 14 and they are trying to be house together. Debt free wannabe wasn't any good for me, there advise was not to save for birthdays and christmas lol. how would I tell my kids. It wouldn't have paid my £150 a month shortfall.
Sorry I'm going on but just to say that your not alone and just be ready for whatever they say or do.

Mara69

Ultimately, Barbara, you are completely dependent on the Government. You need them to feed you, clothe you and house you and your children. Therefore, you have to abide by their rules. I would advise the following:

Follow the council's advice in respect of your S21 notice. Stay put until you are actually evicted. Use this time to look for alternative accommodation. If the council offer you a B&B or other short term housing you'll have to accept it or find another private rental. You have no choice in this matter. It won't be pleasant but better than a bus shelter. Go to the the Debt Free Wanabee board for help and advice on how best to mange your benefits. As others have pointed out, you are hardly on the breadline and clearly need help in managing your money.

PippaGirl_2

Yes I agree with starframe. I've gone over my tenancy waiting for the council to help me and they did find me something and I moved a few weeks later. It is stressful not knowing where you will be put as you have no choice at all but the homeless team do their very best to meet your needs and do all they can. Previously I'd been on the homeless list and then out of fear of the unknown found another private tenancy myself but less than a year later was asked to leave as the owners unexpectedly needed to return to live there so the second time I knew I needed more security than moving every few months so decided to wait it out stressful though it is. Hang in there.