So basically this is going to be a long post which I apologise in advance for!
I'm currently a single mum to two almost 11 month old twin girls. I seperated from my ex on April 16th.
Since the split I have been struggling with bills and housing situation. We rent a 2 bed terrace house for £750 a month. Before we had kids we had plently of disposable income... I had a job earning £22000 a year and my ex earns (and still does) £26000 a year.
I went on maternity and my company only paid statutory. We then had just enough money to pay the bills and a little left over... it was a big adjustment as we were used to having lots of spare cash but we managed.
Then we split and I went on to universal credit. I get £1316 universal credit a month £60 a week maintenance from my ex (he was paying £50 since we split and should be paying £69 according to csa calculator but refused to up it til a week ago and then only to £60 when I threatened to go through CSA) I also get £137 a week child benefit.
I almost got evicted when we split as ex immediately rung the landlord and said he wanted to come off tenancy and wanted his half of deposit back. Landlord then wanted a guarantor which luckily my parents agreed to and had to go through all credit checks referencing etc again and just passed. I had to find £400 to top up depsoit which my parents paid as I didn't have the money. Now its sorted and I have a 6 month tenancy.
Trouble is housing element of universal credit is only £533 a month. In my area there is nowhere to rent a 2 bed for less than £625 a month and this is in a really bad area. I couldn't afford to move anyway as I would have to pay one months and 5 weeks rent in advance which is 9 weeks and would be over a thousand pounds at least. Yes I would get depsoit back from here but only 500 is mine the rest would be what I now owe to my parents. Also hardly anyone rents to single benefit claiments so Private renting is not really an option. I applied for a discretionary housing benefit payment to top up my rent and it was refused as they said they don't encourage people to rent properties more than 10 percent more than the housing payment. I also applied for council housing and was refused again as they said that financial need is not a criteria anymore.
So all my bills come to £1279 a month. this leaves me with £37 left from universal credit. Child benefit just about covers all babies needs... I have switched to cheaper wipes nappies, supermarket etc but twins nappies wipes clothes formula etc all expensive! So I have 300 left with maintenance. 150 a month goes immediately on food shop toiletries cleaning stuff for me and house, leaving 150. Then I prob spend 50 or so a month on bus fares leaving me with 25 a week to live on. If its someones birthday, something breaks and I need to replace it or anything else unexpected turns up I have nothing. I dont get my hair cut (mum does it) dont drink or smoke, can't afford anything for myself like clothes let alone a cinema trip or a day out or something when ex has girls.
I have cut back on all bills... got a sim only plan which cut mobile bill in half, switched to cheaper gas and electric and broadband etc... things like council tax yes I get 25 percent discount cant pay less, same with water rates and tv licence they cost what they cost.
Any ideas for money saving solutions? I was hoping I'd be eligible for council housing or discretionary housing payment but no luck there.
I'm getting really down about it... I can't afford to do anything nice with the twins like swimming, soft play if it costs money we cant do it.
My ex is no help he says as I initiated the split its my fault and if Im struggling we should get back together and he would help me out then.... erm, no thanks.
Any advice greatly appreciated x