Why women's refuge so expensive and not easy

[Peppapigforlife]

My friend is being abused at home by family and I told her to ring a domestic violence number to get help after reading many positive stories on here about women's refuges. However they told her it's £300 a week?! Is this normal? They said they can't find her a place straight away and it takes a whole to get it sorted. Is this right? I don't understand how any woman escaping an abusive man would be able to get out of she didn't have any money?!

No idea tbh. Would she be entitled to benefits if she left?

I'm guessing the housing element of UC would cover at least part of it

They normally assist with claiming benefits. Most women have to move out of area to wherever there is a space.

Did she ring the national helpline or a specific local org?

It is likely to be covered by Housing Benefit. Supported accommodation, refuges etc are exempt from the local housing allowance rate.

I am afraid so, if she is working she will need to pay rent and often a lot of service charges. If she claims benefits often most of the cost will be covered. And yes, there are not always vacancies available straight away - though you can get a place quickly if you are prepared to travel anywhere in the country.

@ftw163532 She rang a helpline and they gave her the number of five refuges and told her to call them individually tomorrow. She wouldn't be entitled to universal credit as she is a student.

@Sinner10 that's good to know for other women. The helpline would put people off from going there if they thought they had to find £300 a week.

Which helpline?

@ftw163532 I think it was- Freephone National 24-hour Domestic Violence Helpline