Thank you all so much for your advice and support, you've been loads more helpful than CAB!
Rhymenoseros - I was on the list but since then the system has changed. As it stands the proceedure is: I can't afford the rent, landlord evicts me, council will put me in temporary accommadation. This may be a b&b and in a different area. My concerns (among many) for that are, I don't want to take my son out of his school - he is getting extra educational support which has been brilliant for him, we have a cat (part of the family), and it is risking my college studies - which are hard enough to fit around my son as it is, without the possiblity of having to travel a long distance to his school.
cestlavielife - I'm not allowed to take in a lodger, and no-where to put them anyway!
ballroomblitz - thank you, I was going to look into any grants/loans that might be able to help me with the weeks rent.
JohnniesBitch - the deposit guarantee scheme no longer exists! I asked about it today. I told them that in that case, I couldn't afford to move out, and I just got shrugged shoulders.
chelen - it's a bit sketchy - but I'm pretty sure that would make me intentionally homelsess. When I asked about it today, I was told I would need to sign the new tenancy agreement for the new amount, then when I fall behind with the rent and the landlord evicts me, I would need to prove that there was no way I could have paid it. I wondered about contacting my local M.P - how do I go about this, do I write to them and just explain my situation?
SoftKittyWarmKitty - it was initially £250 but I bargained her down!! Basically they tried to put the rent up before and I challenged it and it stayed the same. Then my landlord gave the property to his daughter who is a bit more on the ball and rents have increased quite a bit since then. It does seem very odd though - I have never once been late with my rent or caused any problems or even asked for much. If I left, they would have to completely re-decorate the place (they've not done so once in the 6 yrs I've been here), replace bathroom sink, rebuild the outside wall, replace the garden fence, etc. I even replaced the bedroom carpet out of my own pocket because the landlord spilt a bottle of white spirit all over it.
Also SoftKittyWarmKitty - I'm pretty sure that if you work 16 hours you are entitled to full housing benefit. Which makes your situation all the more ludicrous! Can't beleive you have to pay that much extra for only working 6 hours more. I wasn't aware that my M.P had "regular sessions" so will look into that. The CAB have been no help, I think they are really understaffed, I can't even talk to anyone, can only email them my enquiry. Good idea about Moneysaving Expert - although they are a bit scary on there sometimes and I get the feeling that people on benefits are frowned upon on there.
BlobChob - I really hope you get some help with your situation. It is really disheartening, a home is a very basic need and when threatened, especially with kids, it becomes an all consuming stressful situation. You sound like you've come a long way so I hope that you are given the support to keep going. After several years of suffering from depression and as a struggling single parent, I've picked myself up, started college and want to start work. I don't want to stay on benefits, I'm trying my best to find a path out. So it is soul destroying when you're really trying to make a go of things but are offered little support. Btw, have you applied for discretionary?
ILoveTIFFANY - never heard of the rent assist scheme, but there is discretionary housing benefit. There is no guarantee and is only temporary (would need to keep applying) and I wouldn't be able to apply until I've agreed to the new rent.
BlobChob - nice one, will try that forum.