worried sick about losing home, any positive advice please.

[foreverton]

Hi all, I'm really afraid:( had a notice seeking possession on our house( only been here 7 months and arrears are just under £900 )
Housing association property.
It was supposed to be a fresh start, me and dp were going through a separation, couldn't cope with our previous living situation, dd 4 was sleeping in a toddler bed in our room, ds 12 has aspergers and mild tourettes.
Basically the house was way too small and I developed mental health issues which I believe were triggered from going through an unsuccessful school appeal for ds.

So I got a pt job, zero hours contract but it helped and then in the same week I found out ds was being severely bullied and was then groped at work by a much older male colleague.
He was dismissed after an investigation and I was consequently offered shifts I couldn't do:( I don't think I was believed and was treated horribly.

Second school appeal was unsuccessful and ds was without a school for 3 months, I did my best to home educate him but my MH suffered and am a constant bag of nerves. On so much medication plus have a chronic health condition and am on strong painkillers.

Trying to keep this a secret from dp as he is bipolar and struggles with worrying so I'm doing it for the both of us!

He works and pays 70% of the rent and I've let the rest build up due to a combination of no wages and a reduction in tax creds.
Am petrified of losing this home, I love it, things starting to look up. Ds has a new school and I'm looking for a new job as dd starts school in September.

I need ideas. Does anyone have any positive stories of the likes of wonga/loan companies.
Credit not good so limited to these types of things.
I'm burdened by this, can't sleep, how can things spiral out of control so quickly?

Thanks for reading if you've got this far, nobody to really talk to and feel better just getting it off my chest.
So I guess my AIBU is do I try and get a loan off one of these companies? Heard so many horror stories.

Don't wait for an appointment with Shelter or CAB before you apply for Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support. It's really difficult to get it backdated. You can probably apply online thru your local council's website & then you have a certain amount of time to supply them with any other paperwork.

For immediate help go to either CAB or your local children's centre and ask them to apply to the local assistance scheme. If this is available in your area they can give you a prepaid debit card to help with electric and gas payments etc. This is a one off payment. Also speak to the council to see if you can apply for a discretionary housing payment to clear your rent arrears. Not sure if these are area specific but hopefully something similar is available where you live. Good luck.

Are you and your DP eligible for housing benefit in his wage? If not, he should be able to make up the 30% while you get a new job.

Do contact Shelter. Another option is to seek a solicitor that can do housing on legal aid. Some also offer advice on debt and benefits. There aren't many about but if you PM me with your rough location, I might be able to help you find one.

And contact your electricity company too....they should also have some way of funding/loaning you some electricity until you are back on your feet