I’m really scared about money, new lone parent

[Elliebellybum]

So, left ex 4 weeks ago after abuse, with three kids in tow.

Am living off savings as I was a SAHM and I knew this day was coming so I had saved up a bit.

Can’t get a place to rent, even with money up front no one likes the situation so I’m currently in an (expensive) holiday let.

We have a joint tax credits claim and I need to sort out what to do.

I have/had a tiny business which doesn’t even give me 16 hours a week when I’m busy, currently, and for the foreseeable future that’s not going to be a viable working option (I had cancer 2 years ago, lost my customers and we decided I wouldn’t rebuild it up until my youngest who is three started school)

So I’m thinking I need to claim Income support, Tax credits and HB until smallest goes to school then look for dinner lady type work (I have no help with childcare) and in the meantime start to advertise etc again to try to get the business going (it’s very seasonal though so not the best reliable income source)

But the shortfall between HB and rent is potentially £400, without including bills etc, that’s if I can even find someone to rent to me, because I’m a month when I could offer money up front everybody has refused me, so I can’t imagine a better reaction on HB.

The whole thing is panicking me, I’m literally awake at 4am stressing over it all, I don’t know how I will make the money work out and every time I look at the 77 pages of form for IS and the 13 pages of B16 (self employment) I end up in a cold sweat. I haven’t even looked at HB yet.

This alone is making me want to go back to my ex simply so I’m not in this shit.

I’ve applied for the council list, I just need to send ID for that, but I know that’s not going to be a 5 second thing.

I really feel like my head is spinning. I don’t know where to start, I don’t know how I’m ever going to rent (I did declare myself homeless but refuges were full and very much far away from where we are)

My eldest has her senior school applications in, I don’t want to move away and ruin that, but rent here is just astronomical.

I feel like I’m about to fall into a pit that I’m going to find hard to climb out of again.

Anyone been through all this? Is it as awful as my head tells me or am I making this more massive than it need to be??

Take it one step at a time 27th dwp is open change claim for single person wtc.

I think looking outwards for housing. While not ideal going into a new high school is very douable.

I don’t know if you can start income support claim online but worth doing or phoning 27 th.

Where are you currently staying .

Have you claimed maintenance from ex yet?

Ex will manipulate earnings. If I’m going to get anything from him it would be in a voluntary basis really, which is better than nothing.

My entire support network is where we are. I’m loathe to lose that as they were a great help during cancer and been a great help now. It’s a time when I need support I think.

I think I might just shut the business down to stop any grey areas. I’ve not worked in it for a good few months so I’m not shutting down a productive profit maker atm. I’m only a sole trader and all I have is the money in the account so not really problematic to stop.

We are currently in a holiday place, we can stay possibly for 5 months, during which something must come up!

I can ring Job centre and do it I think. Or do it online print and send whichmay be better as I can send my I’d as well

Go to citizens advice drop in they will tell you exatly what to do.

england.shelter.org.uk are the specialist housing advisers nationally. You can look online and can either ring them or email concerning your accommodation problem.

They may know housing association providers in your area that you can apply to individually without waiting on the council list. Also depending upon where you live in the UK the council accommodation will either be quick or slow. If in the south-east then it will take years. If further north it will be temporary accommodation first as there is a legal duty. I believe the south-east these days does not help you find temporary accommodation despite being in priority need although I am not sure on this.

Shelter England will definitely advise you.

You also need to sort the address out asap so you can inform the DWP you are now a single parent. They will pay you from the date you start claiming.

Is there no family member you can temporarily stay at until your accommodation firms up?

Good luck.