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Original poster

please help

6 replies

tree1000 · 21/04/2014 01:22

This might be a long one. My son has just turned two, we moved into a bigger place in August when things where going well for us. We had no debts, the house itself is very cheap, £800 a month for a three bed with garden in the south east. But my partner loss his job and my mental health has gone downhill to the extent I can't leave the house.. OH has found a job part time, but it doesn't pay half. We have run through what little savings we had now,

OH wages and benefits don't add up to paying the rent let alone anything else. In two months, we will be out of money, its all I think about and quite frankly it is increasing my anxiety. Please help with any suggestions

OP posts:
CogitoEggySometimes · 21/04/2014 07:02

First of all, do talk to you GP about your anxiety and inability to leave the house. You need treatment and support urgently so that you can function normally.

Is your bigger place mortgaged or rented? Mortgage companies can sometimes be persuaded to allow a payment holiday. Is your partner looking for a full-time job? You don't mention a job yourself - are you working or have your health problems prevented that? Do you have family that could lend you some money to tide you over?

Are you claiming all the benefits available to you? www.Turn2Us.org.uk has a good benefits checker, for example. CAB might be another option. Very helpful for people with financial problems and offering free advice. Good luck

Original poster
tree1000 · 21/04/2014 15:03

Hi

Thank you, we are claiming everything we can. I am under my GP's care and we are trying various medication now. I am seem to be fairly resistant to anti d's but we need to rule things out.

We rent, we were saving up to buy but we have had to use all our savings to keep us afloat. OH is looking for a full time job, we keep hoping this one will give him full time hours if he is promoted, but we can't rely on that so he is still looking. I am self employed but haven't been able to work since my mental health took a nosedive in September.

OP posts:
neverinmylife · 21/04/2014 15:18

Are you getting PIP and ESA? I have agoraphobia and I get both of those (well DLA which has now been replaced by PIP) and they help boost the family income as they're not means tested, and also adds an allowance for HB. Get advice from the CAB if you're not familiar with those benefits.

If you cannot find another way to boost your income and aren't eligible for more benefits, you will have to move to a cheaper property, even if the current rent is low for the type of house you have. With just one son you don't need a 3 bed house and with just one adult working p/t it's simply not affordable. Many small families with one child live in just a one bed flat, downsizing that way would certainly free up more income.

Original poster
tree1000 · 22/04/2014 01:48

I am getting ESA and have applied for PIP

In our area a one bed flat is £700, OH won't consider moving out the area due to his son from another relationship.

We are looking for other properties however

OP posts:
Sleepyhoglet · 29/04/2014 20:26

£800 a month is too much even if reasonable for south east. You need to cut rent and bills. Manage in a 2 bed flat until things smooth over.

ediblewoman · 29/04/2014 21:13

Are you in receipt of housing benefit?

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