2 children one very sick and eventually no where to live

Harmon28

Hi all
Sorry if I'm posting in the incorrect place, but couldn't find a more appropriate board.

I have two children aged 19 months and 4 months old, my youngest daughter has chronic lung disease and is on home oxygen 24/7 and she is classed as disabled.

I was with living with their father (my partner) until 6 months ago. He left me and announced he was moving back to his home town and selling his house that we where living in and informed me I should find somewhere for myself and the kids quickly. We started arguing all the time and I had no option but to move in with my grandparents. The house sold and he offered me no money to get myself a private rental and he currently gives me the grand sum of £20 a week despite earning over an average salary.

I have no money to take a private rental (first months and deposit) I know in some cases the council will loan you this, but even with that it seems unlikely as I have no gurantor and he isn't willing to act as one for me! I have been searching ever since I moved here.

Currently I share a bedroom with my daughter and my son has the smallest room then we have shared access to everyone else. They also have another lodger (uncles friend) he smokes heavily (albeit not in the house but still smells and I'm convinced he's doing it in his room) and this is not good for my daughters condition. I can not afford to pay my Nan much in the way of rent and will not get housing benefit help so she is out of pocket. My Nan has just informed me about her financial situation and that she will need to take more lodgers in in late September so I need to go down the council (in her words)

I am sick with worry. What are they likely to do? Are they likely to put me in temp accommodation, even with a baby with a disability? What is the process? Will they wait till I actually become homeless (late September) before taking any further action?

I've never had to do any of this before and wish I didn't I would never have put myself in this situation if I knew I would be alone with no money.

AdrianC

I presume the house was in his sole name, and you were unmarried?

Either way, start with getting proper maintenance for his children from him.
https://www.gov.uk/child-maintenance/overview

You also need to have a serious word with your grandparents about priorities when it comes to this particular smoking lodger and their great-grandchildren's health.

TBagpuss

Speak to your housing office.

Are you sure you can't get housing benefit? this (http://www.housingandsupport.org.uk/renting-accommodation-to-relatives ) suggests that the bar of HB when renting from a family member relates to parents and children, but doesn't mention grandparents.

Depending on availability in your area you may be put into temporary accommodation, but you would have to consider whether that might be preferable to the current situation.

agrinnall

You haven't mentioned your parents, are they able to help at all?

missbiggles1

What benefits to you claim at the moment?

Harmon28

Thanks for your replies.

I am a uni student. Was initially getting no financial help from student finance as ex earnt over the threshold, was just getting tuition fees covered. I'm claiming income support, child tax at the moment (but if I am able to go back to uni I will come off income support and receive higher student finance) I am waiting to hear about daughters dla application also.

I asked the council about housing benefit and they said no as my Nan never took me in under a commercial agreement so they can't pay her it even if she was to draw up an agreement it would only be made to take advantage of the housing benefit system they said.

The point being I have no choice but to move out of here by the 29th of September (date I've been given) so I have around 2 months to find somewhere. I'm not sure if I go to the council now or I wait until nearer the date?

In my area we can bid for propperties. If I go to the council now is it likely I will be treated as a priority and eligible to bid for properties now or would I only be eligible in September when I effectively become homeless and put in to temp. I just want to get this sorted and know I have some where to go to be honest.

Harmon28

I have applied for the bidding on the website just unsure if I will be treated as a priority even with a letter from my Nan saying I will be out by the end of September.

carefullycautious

You need to ask your disabled child's consultant if he could write a letter on your behalf explaining why you child needs adequate accommodation. Ring and talk to his secretary if you are not due to see him/her.


Also try to get help from your local MP who may be able to support you in your application to the council. An Occupational therapist or physio can help with this also as would your GP.


Don't try to do this alone you need all the professional backup you can get. The council due to the demands on them will not take your word alone for anything.

AdrianC

If your grandparents really place you so low on their priorities, you're best off out of there anyway.

unforeseen

AdrianC wrote: »

If your grandparents really place you so low on their priorities, you're best off out of there anyway.

Mmm what a choice

Let granddaughter and children live there free and stand a chance of themselves being made homeless due to their financial situation

or

get granddaughter and children to leave (unless they can pay a representative rent) and get another paying lodger in to keep a roof over their head.

WWYD? Guessing grandparents are 65-70+ so the last thing they need at that time of life is possible loss of their house/bankruptcy

Harmon28

I have got all the medical evidence for my daughters condition and her nurse has wrote a letter stating everything. I'm unsure if a b&b would take me in with oxygen as they are required to tell their insurance and it comes with fire hazards. Also there is still no way to control the smoking of other guests. Her condition is just getting worse and she also has a heart condition which needs surgery when she reaches 6 months old to close a duct, so right around the time I have to leave, great!

My grandparents and I don't really know eachother, they have told me to go to the council as soon as I moved in but I didn't as I was embarrassed and held hope of my ex having a change of heart and now I guess they're getting fed up.

Will I be treated as the same prioryity as those in temp accommodation if I apply for the bidding system now? Or will I be a lower priority?