On the brink, but still fighting

usa1

Hi mate, did you manage to sort out the MI 12 form?
You sound so down ..
Could you let your flat and you move in with family or friends, just for the short term?

Dozey_crow

Hi, I am so sorry that you are in this awful situation.. hang in there.

House repossession is a real shame but it sounds like you have come to terms with it. I am presuming that you do not have any friends \ family that can help you?

I would recommend going to your local citizens advice bureau for help they are very good and can let you know what you may be entitled to. As someone else had said you should visit a food bank for essentials and there may also be some'soup kitchen' type places on the city that you can get a hot meal from.

Your council has a budget for discretionary housing payments, crisis loans and budget loans which you may also be entitled to. There should also be a housing options service which can give you details if you ask them.

Try the salvation army for clothing \blankets for extra warmth you could always offer to volunteer in return if you feel uncomfortable. You could also try a local church/ religious institution for help.

I think you need to focus on this immediate crisis first and look at finding a job after wards.

Wishing you lots of luck.

jacques_chirac

uberfrugal, several people have suggested you look into mortgage interest assistance, how have you got on with this? If you do choose to give up your flat and rent, be are that you will only be entitled to the lowest rate of local housing allowance, which would be the equivalent to the rent of a room in a shared house. You need to check your entitlement before making any big decisions.

uberfrugal

jacques_chirac wrote: »

uberfrugal, several people have suggested you look into mortgage interest assistance, how have you got on with this? If you do choose to give up your flat and rent, be are that you will only be entitled to the lowest rate of local housing allowance, which would be the equivalent to the rent of a room in a shared house. You need to check your entitlement before making any big decisions.

My mortgage company were not helpful. I am entitled to incapacity benefit since I suffer from schizophrenia - although I have always tried to hold down jobs and rarely have episodes because I have stuck to my meds routinely for over 12 years. I'm not saying that I should be claiming it, because I am able to work in most jobs. Only that I am entitled to it. I'm not sure what the rate is. My psychiatrist is the only other person that knows about my situation besides the people who have read this topic.

In answer to some other questions:

I try to stay positive at all times. I don't have any relatives in the UK. My mum died 5 years ago and my Dad lives in France. No siblings. A few friends, but they have newborns and I wouldn't want to crash in on anybody.

Pippin12

Really sorry to read of your troubles. I think it should be compulsory reading for anyone who thinks a life on benefits is easy...

Unfortunately Incapacity Benefit no longer exists for new claimants as it is being phased out altogether. In its place is a benefit called Employment and Support Allowance which is altogether more difficult to get. It might be worth popping on to the Benefits and Employment board to find out more about it, although as you are capable of doing so many jobs you woul be very unlikely to qualify.

Did you get an MI 12 form to claim mortgage interest as many people have advised?

haycorns

Have you contacted your loccal social services? Due to yout condition you will be considered at risk and they may be able to help you in some way. Don't be afraid to ask people for help - even friends with newborns.
They would be quite upset if they knew you needed help and didn't ask - anyhow they might like a baby sitter!

jacques_chirac

In what way were the mortgage company unhelpful? All the main lenders accept SMI payments, you just need to submit the MI12 to them and they send it back to the DWP. You need to chase this up, it could significantly help your situation.

As Pippin12 has explained, it is very difficult to meet the criteria for ESA. They do recognise that conditions are variable, but if it is mostly managed it is unlikely you will qualify. Plus, with the strain of repeated assessments people often find it easier to claim JSA.

Pippin12

haycorns wrote: »

Have you contacted your loccal social services? Due to yout condition you will be considered at risk and they may be able to help you in some way. Don't be afraid to ask people for help - even friends with newborns.
They would be quite upset if they knew you needed help and didn't ask - anyhow they might like a baby sitter!

I agree with haycorns here. If i had a friend who was finding things so difficult I would be very upset to think they couldn't ask me for help. This help might mean cooking a meal for them regularly, a loan to tide the person over, money for odd jobs etc and just a listening ear. Please reach out to someone for help (in real life that is).

Pippin12

bump for more help

missindecisive

anyone out there who can help?