Financial help with House repairs...

pippa2000_2

Thanks in advance...

My husband left me around a year ago (married 13 years), just came home and he had gone! We have two children under 6.

Since then I have been on benefits for the first time in my life. I also get some help towards the mortgage each month since ex doesn't contribute financially, although now going through CSA.

Money is extremely tight as you can imagine, I have to find £250 per month towards the mortgage plus everything else. There is no money spare so cannot save.

Sorry for the above, needed to give some perspective.

The chimney has collapsed inside and each time it rains, the walls inside the house get wet through and it needs repairing asap. I haven't got the money to repair it and was wondering if anyone could advise any grants or financial help I may be eligible for. I am on Income Support.

princessdon

Your house insurance should cover a collapsed chimney, have you rang them?

sammyjammy

Do you have family that can help out? Have you considered selling the house and moving into rented accommodation? Until you are back in employment you'll not be in a position to maintain a house.

(text removed by MSE Forum Team)

As Princessdon says your best bet at the moment is your house insurance but you need to think about the future too.

pippa2000_2

No I haven't... since I though it would come under general wear and tear so to speak, so wouldn't be covered.

It wasn't the weather that did it, I live in a house that is 110 years old, so probably needed attention that I wasn't aware of.

princessdon

If its general repointing wear and tear you'd have had warning way before a collapse. Get them out to check and see what they say,

Houses cost money, it will be something else next with a house that age, perhaps selling and renting will be your best option.

pippa2000_2

No family nearby... I'm 42 and have worked full time all my life until my children came along, I don't expect the "tax payer" to help maintain my house. I am in need of the "safety net" that is the benefit system for now until I get back on my feet.

I will be back in work in the near future, so will not be a burden on the "tax payer" for long. For now though I need some help.

princessdon

The other option if its not a full collapse but needs repointing and weather proofing is to become good at DIY. It's hard to advise without knowing exactly what you mean by a collapse. Are you saying the whole chimney fell down, or part of the chimney?

Can you block it off temporarily to stop rain? Or is it working chimney?

sammyjammy

I didn't say you expected it I said that you wouldn't receive help with it. You asked I answered. Nobody called you a burden to the taxpayer either, you obviously need some support and help, you are getting this in the form of all the benefits you are entitled to.

Get the insurance company to come look at the collapse, you have nothing to lose from doing that.

pippa2000_2

You know what... someone directed me to this forum saying that it was not a benefit bashing one!!

Big mistake... I merely asked if anyone knew about any grant etc., that may be available to me, not advise on how to conduct my life.

I am perfectly entitled to claim what I am... I paid into this country for over 20 years and have never claimed any benefits in my life until my ex husband decided he didn't want the responsibility of a family and !!!!!!ed off, clearing the bank accounts in the process. I have two small children and was in dire straights so needed to claim benefits.

I am in the process of divorcing him (when we can find him) so selling the house will happen at some stage in the not too distant future, but that won't help me know will it.

pmlindyloo

Contact your home insurance first and see if the repairs needed are covered by this.

If it doesn't then get a reliable builder (ask around for a recommendation) to give you a quote for the repairs.

Then consider applying for a budgeting loan.

See here:
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/specialist-guides/technical-guidance/sb16-a-guide-to-the-social/budgeting-loans/

You will obviously have to pay it back but they will only take out a small amount from your IS each month.

pmlindyloo

Also try your local authority>

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/housing_e/housing_moving_and_improving_your_home_e/help_with_home_improvements.htm