New lone parent-where to start?!

broclo

Hello. I've been looking through all the threads and I'm a tad confused as I am new to all of this and would really appreciate some help with getting started.

I do not work, have a baby under a year and have just split from the father. I am living in his house, but viewing private rented properties with the aim to move out asap. I have no incomes and the only benefit I have set up is child benefit.

Can anyone tell me:
What are all the benefits I can claim?
In what order do I need to do them?
What is the amount on these in my circumstances?

I have found out the LHA....can't find anywhere for less than £125 more a month...can I get any more help?

How do you get the food tokens for a little one?

Thanks in advance for any help!

melly84

Hi
You can claim income support and child tax criedits.
to claim income support i think you need to call them now, phone your local jobcentre and ask them how to go about it.
phone tax credits and tell them you want to make a claim too.
Can you not get any help from your local council?
you would be entiteled to housing benefits but more often than not they wont pay the full rent on privately rented properties, for instance my friend has to pay £60pm top up.
as far as i know you have to get forms to claim the voucjers.
https://www.healthystart.gov.uk

broclo

Thank you so much

britbabe1979

In the mean time (until they sort your benefits out) you can claim for a crisis loan. Contact the local job centre and they should be able to give you a number to call. basically they award you a set amount per day (which you will have to pay back by installments) until you next get some cash. So if you are getting CB weekly they will basically do some magic calculations and give you something to keep you going. it may not be a lot but it might help you get through the week.

Oh and if they say they cant give you a crisis loan because you're not yet claiming benefits then challenge them as EVERYONE is entitled to one, whether you claim benefits or not. (as it says in their Lone Parent information leaflet!)

Also you should be entitled to full council tax benefit and housing benefit. Contact local council for info.

but please please please make sure you make your landlord, council tax people, utility people etc etc your situation just so you dont start getting yourself into a mess with missing bills etc. (just in case they take a while to sort your claim!)

Good luck hun.

Love Sheryl xxxx