Carpet/Cooker etc......

pkj666

My ex-wife who works 30hrs a week has taken on looking after her late sisters three children since October last year when the father lost interest its been a struggle getting benefits in place and also finding suitable accomodation as since october they have been crammed into her 1 bed flat.
She has now been offered a 3 bedroomed house which is being renevated as we speak however she has to carpet the property herself which as you can imagine is jolly expensive also buying essentials such as cooker,washing machine etc..
Any ideas or suggestions for any grants,benefits,schemes to help her out would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks in advance.

StormyWeather_2

Have a look on this page.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/grants-low-income

I don't think it will be as straight forward as applying to one place to get everything covered. As she's working I don't think she'll be eligible for a budgeting loan. She might have to approach different organisations and then see what she can find on freecycle.

Are there any furniture recycling charities in her area?

StormyWeather_2

Here's the furniture recycling network

http://www.frn.org.uk/

You could also try the childrens society

http://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/news-views/our-blog/find-your-local-welfare-assistance-scheme

Indie_Kid

Freecycle?

specialboy

As an aside is she making sure the father pays her maintenance for his kids.

pmlindyloo

Also, The British Hear foundation sometimes has furniture /electrical goods. Google to see if there is one near her.

CAB might be able to give you information about charities that help.


Has your ex, started fostering the children? Social Service sometimes have grants to assist - worth asking.

pkj666

specialboy wrote: »

As an aside is she making sure the father pays her maintenance for his kids.

Yeah im making sure he does that.

pkj666

Can i just say a big thank you for all the advice so far hadnt thought of half them things she needs all the help she can get bless her.
Not as scary as i thought this being a newby :T

squif33

There should be a discretionary assistance fund from thier local council- these replaced the old community care grants. Most councils require the application to go through a social worker or CAB worker though so seek some advice. Hope it all works out.

specialboy

Someone above me tinned trying a charity shop, if you do make sure you compare prices first as I've noticed that they try and charge top dollar for stuff and sometimes more than new. A second hand shop might give you better value for money hen buying a cooker and washing machine.

meg72

Just to second the above freecycle, charity shops etc but curious does she not alreaey have a cooker and washing machine, if not how on earth is managing>