When can I apply for housing benefit with a preemie in hospital? Also a student

Lily-121

Hello
I apologize, I have knowingly wrote this in the wrong forum but the citizens advice won't let me post this in their forum for some reason so if someone could move it or someone here can answer it then that would be great.

I will try to make this sort and too the point.

I am 18 a full time uni student and single mother, living in shared student accommodation. I have a 33 weeker that was born a week ago, he won't be out of hospital until mid January at the earliest. I didn't find out about the pregnancy until I was 20 weeks so this has all gone so fast. I know I cant bring a preemie back to shared accommodation so I want to get everything sorted now.

I get around 7k a year combined loan and grant. I intend to continue with uni. I have spoken with another girl at my uni who has a 2 year old son and she said she gets more loan/grant than me and still gets housing benefit so I assume I will too even if I have to pay a portion of the rent myself?

I contacted several landlords explaining my situation and a few replied and said that they would rent to me if I could get a guarantor. My mum doesn't work but my dad does but the house is private rented so he can't act as one I have been told. However, his sister owns her home and has a very good job/income and has told me she will be willing to act as one for me.

Thats about as far as I have got (contacting the landlords) I haven't accepted anything yet. Is there any schemes that will help me with the deposit. I will get my deposit back when I leave here but it is only about half the amount I need for the new place and with out going in to my over draft I simply can't pay a removal van costs and the deposit. Also if I have to buy furniture then I really will struggle and probably be impossible, so if there is a scheme for deposit or moving costs?? I am also unsure if I get the maternity grant but fingers crossed I do, I am not in receipt of income support as I didn't know if I was able to claim it.

I have put in for child benefit and tax credits hopefully it will be here soon so I can start buying baby furniture and clothes before he comes home. I have been spending the little money I have left at the end of the month (basically under £50 after rent food and bills are taken out of account) on some things for him.

Ok so my questions summarized are:
-Can I claim housing benefit (ie move in now) while my baby is in hospital?
-Is there any schemes for deposits and moving costs?
-Does anyone know if I can get the maternity grant?

Thanks all so much

pmlindyloo

Welcome and congratulations.

The very best people to help you in your situation is the welfare department at your university.

They will know what benefits you can apply for and will check about your loans/grants as being a single mum alters the situation.

So uni should be your first port of call.

if they cannot help with accommodation then go to the council. Many councils have deposit bond schemes which is accepted by most landlords in lieu of a deposit. You may be entitled to housing benefit and this will make you eligible for a discretionary housing payment for moving costs etc.

So, university first, then apply for which ever benefits they say you are eligible for and then speak to the council about housing help.

The maternity grant will depend on the benefits you receive but you can claim up to 3 months after baby is born so you may be eligible by then.

Poppie68

Excellent advice above but in the meantime as I can imagine you are extremely busy with one thing or another ask family members to register on freecycle to help pick up household items and baby stuff....