Benefits nightmare - advice welcome

Distillerdude

I had to give up my job in marketing last month to look after my wife who's personality disorder has become do much worse over the last few months. We also have a 2 yr old son.
However, I am also a full time student (classes at weekends when I have family/friends available to look after my wife). Under my new circumstances Student Finance have bumped up my grant/loan allowance so that the next payment at the end of April would be about 3 grand (which would then be paid once a term).
The problem I have is that I'm not sure how I'm going to cover the next couple of months. We've applied for housing benefit to cover our rent, but we have been refused income support because of my student loan/grant. Also, although I care for my wife for enough hours to qualify, my student status makes me ineligible for carer's allowance. We also plan to apply for Employment Support Allowance in my wife's name and see what happens.
Anyway, the stress of it all is difficult to deal with, especially with a little one to think of. Does anyone have advice for someone in my situation? Are there any short term benefits to cover a couple months or so?

Caz3121

are you receiving child benefit and child tax credits. Have you advised tax credits your change in circumstances?

Voyager2002

Ask student welfare at your university: the hardship fund should surely be there for people in situations such as yours.

Distillerdude

Caz3121 wrote: »

are you receiving child benefit and child tax credits. Have you advised tax credits your change in circumstances?

We are receiving child benefit. We have just applied for child tax credits though - will take them up to 6 weeks to get back to us.

Voyager2002 wrote: »

Ask student welfare at your university: the hardship fund should surely be there for people in situations such as yours.

Thanks for that! I hadn't thought of going through the uni - Will drop in on Monday and see if they can help.

pmlindyloo

Have you applied for Personal Independence Payment for your wife?

This is not means tested.

Distillerdude

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Have you applied for Personal Independence Payment for your wife?

This is not means tested.

She currently gets Disability Living Allowance which will eventually be converted to PIP for her. At the moment this amount just goes straight out to therapy. She's been deteriorating over the last few months so fast that we've had to pay for some private therapy while she's on the Nhs waiting lists...