To think I won't survive on £48 pcm !

[Thegardenismine]

Long story short I've just become single 😀I've many a thread on here under a couple of user names over the last few years and you've helped me get through a really bad period with H. Thank you.

I was actually preparing to leave as the control and EA was getting so much worse. I need to do the Freedom Program. My plan was to attend the council as homeless.

But !!! He left on Sunday saying he was fed up went depression and I was an embarrassment. He's moved in with his Plan B.

So I applied for universal credit etc and met with a really helpful person at the job centre. It seems I'm entitled to £848 a month. But that includes my rent . Great except my rent is £800 pcm.

What do I do ? If I can't pay my rent I'll be intentionally homeless I expect so they won't help me ?

What are my options. My GP has said I'm unfit for work. Thanks to the H I've no family support. I'm not sure which way to turn. £48 won't cover the water gas electric etc.

I was so relieved when he left but now it's a hot mess !!

It may be worth asking your council about discretionary housing payments to enable you to keep your home whilst you try and seek somewhere more affordable.

Is there a citizens advice bureau near you? They should be able to point you in the correct direction and hopefully guide you on what’s best to do. Good luck

Thank you, what is esa ? I don't have young children. Mine are grown up. Also what I'd pip?

We need more context. Are you living in a three bed? Can you move?
If you’re not fit for work can you get any PIP?

Will you get spousal maintenance from H? Does he earn more than you? Will you be in a better position once you draw your pension?

In the UK, you can let out part of your house tax free as long as it is below a certain threshold: www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) replaces disability living allowance.

You can rent the room and up to 300 a month will be ignored by the taxman. But be careful with the UC rules.

I know someone who moved her bedroom to the living room and rented the 2 bedrooms. I know it is not ideal but desperate situation require desperate measures.

I would say downsize is your only option but then, there is not much difference between a one and 2 bedroom flat rent.

@Foxmuffin sorry I thought I'd already said it's 2 bed.

How much would you get if you lived in a shared house or as a lodger?

Eg if your rent was less but you got less money, you might not be any better off, so worth checking.

No family anywhere, even if you moved?

What's your pension entitlement and will you be able to manage on that when the time comes? If you only need to bridge the gap of a year or so, there's light at the end of the tunnel.

Have you got any money at all to facilitate a move? You can't afford the flat, so I wouldn't waste emotional energy working out how to manage that. Where in the country do you live? When you say moving out of the area, do you mean you would need to change city, or change local area? Because if you can't afford to live in XYZ postcode, you just can't, and the council doesn't have to make up the difference so you can stay put.

I would be inclined to make moving to somewhere for £500 a month the first priority. Have you got furniture that you would sell in a downsize that would cover some of the moving costs? Will you get a deposit back?

You can also quietly top up your earnings by taking in work like ironing etc. When you say you're not fit for work, do you mean it's anxiety or something physically incapacitating such as a broken hip?

What is your skillset? Do you still have your job - are you signed off sick? Or do you physically not have a job at all right now? Do you have marketable skills? Could you do cleaning work to tide you over right now? It would be cash in hand and you could probably line something up for next week with a bit of posting on social media etc.

Might not be what you had in mind for yourself right now, but income is income, and it's all a lot better than being with your H.

Your landlord would probably rather keep a tenant near pension age than have a void. Therefore I'd expect them to give permission for a lodger, they may be unable to prevent it anyway.

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/lodging/taking-in-a-lodger-what-you-need-to-think-about-first/

Definitely check your tenancy and see if you can ask to sublet. Depending on the type, your landlord can't reasonably refuse without a very good reason

You can't afford that rent OP so that's what to focus on. You need to downsize and quick, you can try to claim a hardship payment for the new deposit. A house share or becoming a lodger would be less costly. And even though your GP says you are unfit for work, given you only have a year left before claiming your pension, wouldn't it be better to try and find work and get some money behind you so you aren't in this situation again?

It might be worth asking your council housing people about properties for people over 55. Most councils have a number of small council units only available to older people - as you are in the age bracket, in poor health, recently out of an abusive relationship and at risk of homelessness, you might be in a good position to be given one of these.

Go and see citizens advice. They'll be able to signpost and support you. I took a friend last year and they were great and really helped her.

Matched betting? Not for everyone of course but it can be incredibly profitable and isn't classed as income and therefore isn't taxable.

It's all very new and confusing.

I have received the form from the council regarding council tax. So I'll fill in and take back personally and see someone to help navigate this .

The reason I can't work is to do with mental rather than physical health.

If I remember rightly the amount for my area for housing is 625.
If I could move to a one bed I'm not going to find one easily for less than that. As the 800 is deemed reasonable for this area. In fact it was one of the cheapest.

I don't have savings, nor is my H responsible to give me £ . We don't have children together. Also it turned out we were not legally married ( previous thread completely) nor would I want him to have that control over me .

It's all very new and confusing.

I have received the form from the council regarding council tax. So I'll fill in and take back personally and see someone to help navigate this .

The reason I can't work is to do with mental rather than physical health.

If I remember rightly the amount for my area for housing is 625.

I did a benefit check and it's saying 218 pw
If I could move to a one bed I'm not going to find one easily for less than that. As the 800 is deemed reasonable for this area. In fact it was one of the cheapest.

I don't have savings, nor is my H responsible to give me £ . We don't have children together. Also it turned out we were not legally married ( previous thread completely) nor would I want him to have that control over me .

I could work from home. Not sure what. Wouldn't the benefit department just take any earnings off of me ? So I'd be no better off.

If the doctor has said you are unfit for work and you have evidence of this then you should be able to apply for PIP.

I'll look at citizens advice.
I can't be a lodger due to the issues I have.
I will ask the council about over 55 housing.

I can do this without having a huge wobble!

Ask your landlord about renting the 2nd bedroom out. You can get £7500 a year from that tax free ie doesn't affect benefits. I private rent and my landlord is fine with me doing this.

You could qualify for Council sheltered housing if you are close to pensionable age. It's often much quicker to get rehoused that way, particularly if you have physical/mental health issues.

Will pip allow me extra housing allowance?

@CodenameVillanelle the idea of that is a a great suggestion but the effect it may have on my health situation would probably not be good. I'd hate to try and then fail.