Single mum with mortgage unable to work due to Covid

Eva_Rae_Rose

I have a young child and claim universal credit. I work part-time as a teacher (contract work - which means I only get paid if I work), but due to the virus the my courses have been cancelled or postponed. 

Because I have a mortgage, I can’t claim housing benefit so all of my universal credit goes on paying for my house and bills, leaving me with next to nothing for food. 

Hopefully, the courses will be commencing from Sept and I can start earning again, but is there any support out there for people in my position- a low-income contract worker who cannot work due to the pandemic?  

Nannytone

You can ask your Linda de4 mortgage holiday.
Isn't your child's father paying maintenance? If not you can make a claim through cms

Spoonie_Turtle

This might be a really stupid question but sometimes in times of stress we don't always see the obvious straight away, but have you gone through your bills and expenses to see what you can cut down? Things like a TV licence, if you're struggling to survive, may not be necessary right now* (you can watch everything that's not BBC on catchup services without needing a licence).
Council Tax Support? That's income-related help, separate to the single person discount.
Can you switch or get a better deal for any of your other bills, such as energy, broadband, phone? Suppliers were supposed to take into account the impact the pandemic is having on people's finances; if you haven't already read the MSE guides they are a great place to start.
https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/


*though if content on there is a necessary part of your children's life, e.g. if they are autistic and a programme on there is the only thing that helps them regulate, then of course that would be necessary - everything depends on your exact situation

poppy12345

Unfortunately to claim for help with the mortgage interest through SMI which is a loan then you need to be claiming UC for 9 consecutive months with zero earnings, so you won't qualify for this.

andreaj1

Hi - do you have a union you could contact for help regarding this issue?