Spiralling into The Abyss

nom_de_plume

Can't add much but perhaps also speak with shelter.org.uk
Do you have a support worker in the mental health team and have you discussd the situation with them?
As RAS suggests you can hang on until you are evicted to give some breathing space. Make sure you do nothing that could be construed as making yourself intentionally homeless, so paying the rent is probably a good idea.
Sorry I can't be more helpful as your situation sounds terrible.

Racheldevon

I used to manage sure start children's centres until recently. I'd suggest you contact your nearest one and ask to speak with someone in the family support team - they will be able to support you with this, and with the housing issue.

Also notify your health visitor - even if you don't have an assigned one - they can support you in a number of ways, including linking you into welfare grants etc that might support you with practical things like the washing machine.

The children's centre can link you into various things around finances and support you around money/food etc.

Are you getting 2gether funding for the nursery placement (not sure if your child is 2 years old or older- it applies to 2 year olds) - your children's centre can support you with this.

Children's centre and your health visitor can both refer you to the food bank, similarly there will be local trusts/grants etc that provide similar food vouchers that professionals can link you into.

CAB or the children's centre can link you into someone who can get you're getting all the right benefits - it's a real knack filling out the forms correctly, DLA is being phased out and replaced with PIP. Someone like Christian's Against Poverty might be helpful in negotiating with your lenders around the financial side of things (you don't have to be Christian).

meritaten

Have you contacted the charity 'Shelter'? they don't only deal with the homeless, but those about to be homeless and those with 'less than ideal' landlords and they even give benefit advice. I am not sure if its a national or local helpline - my son contacted them through a local helpline and they were fantastic! cant praise them enough! He was about to be evicted in two weeks and Shelter took it on and stopped the eviction and accompanied him to court. represented him and he is still in the same house and the problems have all been sorted out! (some of which were to do with housing benefit and some of which were to do with the landlords mistakes).
I understand your issues with mental health problems, its dire isn't it? my DD is bipolar and its taken years for her to get diagnosed and get the right meds, and even now she has issues with her psychiatrist.
don't worry about being in new area just yet - contact Shelter and see what happens!

Claire212

I would also contact your local housing office and let them know you are going to be made homeless. That is the first step. You could contact shelter etc, but the housing officers at the council know landlord law off by heart. They will help you. I do believe that if you have mental health problems they have a duty of care to you both and if you have children then even more so.

As for the support network, have you considered contacting MIND. The mental health charity? Or rethink, another mental health charity. They can offer you housing and benefit advice specific to Mental Illness and also mental health support, perhaps finding funds for childcare for all your children to give you the breathing space you need to take care of yourself and your partner and be well again.

They were an amazing help to our family when my brother was diagnosed with a Mental Illness.

Lateralus

Thanks everyone. Some of your suggestions I've already pursued, but there are a number I haven't. But will! For now, I must sleep.

Thank you all for being so supportive.

meritaten

Yes, get your sleep, and tomorrow you can contact those you think may help.
My very best wishes and I hope it works out for you
meri

southoftheriver

Sorry that you're going through this. Please keep us up to date with how things are.

heartbreak_star

Lots of hugs. Please keep us posted!

HBS x

Lateralus

Hello everyone! It's been a frustrating few days. I haven't updated as I feel I've not had anything to update with.

I've continued our property search, only to be told the few places I've found within budget are being taken off the market by their respective landlords. There don't seem to be any two bedroom places in the area.. Plenty of 4 beds, though! Shame we can't in a million years afford that. I have been in to every letting agent in this town and the surrounding areas, with no luck. I've looked in news papers, online, notice boards, etc. Nothing. I went to a housing advice drop in first thing this morning where I was told we've been approved for a loan for first month's rent and deposit, so I guess that's something. Although they also said they're going to press ahead with a homeless application now. Just got to keep hammering away with the search and pray something turns up.

I've been in touch with my local Sure Start centre re: any grants we may be eligible for, but I haven't been able to discuss this with anyone over the phone. Our children's key worker will be meeting with us next monday, so I'll raise this then.

I've tried several times to contact Shelter, but I'm beginning to think they don't exist! It says they're busy and ends the call. Even when I call when the lines have just opened! I hadn't realise Mind could potentially help. It's on my list for tomorrow.

Thanks again everyone for your help/suggestions. Just gotta keep on keeping on, I guess.

Yorkie1

Well done for all the persistence so far and hope you continue to have energy to pursue the other ideas.

Good luck.