where do I start?

[sarahsbump]

Hi all DP and I are over and I need to know how to go about moving on with my life.
I have a 9 month old DS and am living 3 hours from my parents,I want to move back to be close to them and start again.
What do I need to do first? Do I move and then claim or should I try and sort it out before I move?
What is the hardest part of being a single parent?

Any help and advice welcome

TIA

I can't help with claims etc, but there's been a discussion about the hard parts of single parenthood in the forum recently - it won't be far down the list.

All the best - it's tough at first but gets much easier with time.

It depends how long its going to take you to move.
Get in touch with your local jobcentre and they will make you an appointment with a lone parent advisor, they are really helpful in my experience.

Hardest part of being a lone parent.................. uh still trying to think of something

I don't know your financial circumstances but if you want to apply for council housing nearer family, do it asap as wherever you are in the country the waits are horrendous and its bound to be a bit more difficult if you don't already live in the area, councils expect you to have some kind of link to the area you want to live in. get your partner to write a letter asking you to leave by a given deadline, making you 'homeless' after that- then the council has to act, at least housing you temporarily- maybe in a women's refuge which ain't great but its a start. if you're looking to claim income support and the rest, do this now and make sure you have your own separate income/bank acc etc sorted out. hope you're ok

if you don't get on with the jobcentre, try the local cab to see what help you can get there. gingerbread is also a good idea as well. x

job centre are patronising but im afraid you'll have to get used to that. they are however, very helpful. Do you work? want to work? mortgage, rent?

i dont want to appear patrionising either but ive been in various different circumstances since being a lone parent (8 years now)..worked full time, part time, claimed IS, tax credits, had a mortgage, had a council property (not all at once of course, various combinations!) so i know bits about all of it. (jack of all trades, master of none) is me.

sorry i dont even know if you're a regular poster or new. (am poorly and head frazzled) but tell us a bit more and you'll get plenty of advice. again, i apologise if my post makes bugger all sense.

go to the DSS. They made me cry and feel like shit but it does get things moving. If you move back in with your parents make them charge you rent otherwise it is harder to get out. Do first whatever will keep you sane and then work things from there. It is really crap but it gets better and better. even at its worst it is better than being in a bad relationship.