Jobless/ money advice

[Lucydede]

Hi this is my first thread, I’ve just become jobless after 9 years. I have two small children and I’m so worried about how we will get on. Ive only worked part time since having my kids so I’ve been recieving £100 towards my rent and working tax credits etc.
I’ve been on some calculators and until I can find a new job it looks like I’ll be getting 1320 in housing benefit, child tax credits, child benefit and job seekers or income support.
My rent, bills etc comes to just under 1100 (I’m looking at ways to cut it down but rent alone is 600).
I am so worried how I’m going to live on 220 per month for me and my two kiddies. Any advice really appreciated, thanks

Do you get any child maintainence payments - if not then I would apply for that. Possibly look at discretionary Housing payments through your council - they are like extra payments to help with a temporary change in circumstances.

You need to break down the £500 "bills" and see what you can cut back. Do you have a partner/husband? What is the likelihood of work?

Put in for DHP at housing benefit office - it’s a discretionary housing payment

But you will have to use a budget to enter all details of your spending

You’re probably likely to get it as you’ve lost your job
Could afford the rent previously

www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en/tools/budget-planner

Use this to nail down all you’re incomings and outgoings

Ask if you can pay cox to fit in with fortnightly payments if that helps

Seek advise from CAB to make sure your claiming everything your entitled to

Do you have a car?
What are future job prospects?

Finally sorry about lossing your job

Hi thank you so much for the replies, I’ve only just seen them!
I’d never heard of a dhp before, I’m going to my local council to tell them about my change in circumstance so I’ll ask to apply then.
I do have a car but being single with one child not at school yet it’s going to be tricky to find something to fit into playgroup hours but I’m hoping it won’t take too long to find something.
The almost 500 of bills is as follows:
Gas and electric- 65
Water-45
Bank charges (I live in an overdraft)- 20
Tv licence- 15
Virgin-90! (I’m ringing to get this downgraded)
Very- 80 (I use it for Xmas and pay back over year, not the smartest but wasn’t planning on losing my job)
Car insurance- 50
Car tax- 15
Phone contract- 25
Council tax- I’m hoping around 40 as I currently pay 100 but should decrease when I change my circumstances

Hoping to knock this down as much as I can, the tv is where I’ll save the most money I think.
I’m just going to have to really budget for petrol and food. Also going to have to do more free things with the kiddies as swimming, cinema etc quickly add up

You are paying back £80 a month to Very or you owe £80?

Can you switch to GiffGaff for your mobile? I pay about £7.50 a month for mine