Advice for renting working single mum please

[Stella8686]

Hi does anyone have any good ideas for me to save some money?

I was thinking along the lines of
Winter fuel help
Help with rent

But any tips will do

For background

I work 30 hours/ week term time only approx £1 above national minimum wage

I have one 6 y/old DD at home 6 nights a week (1 day/ week at her dads)

I get
Wage
Working tax credit
Child tax credit
Child benefit (the one everyone gets)
Child payment from ex.

I am privately renting
Council tax single person allowance
Bills etc

Any tips welcomed TIA

I would advise doing a check to see if you are better off on Universal credit as there is a rent element within that. So if you are not entitled to housing benefit currently and can't make a new claim, then look at UC. It gets a bad press but many are better off on it particularly working people. Speak to your local CAB for a benefit check.

A tip from me is to start thinking now about how you are going to manage when your dd turns 18 and all your child related money stops.

Start thinking now about how you can increase your earning power so as to earn enough money to support yourself. The time will come sooner than you think.

Apply online tonight for local council tax relief and submit the form- that, if successful will reduce your council tax further. You’ll need to provide financial evidence, wage slips, bank statements and benefits

Have a look on your energy providers website see if they do the warm home grant thing

OP, you won't be able to claim housing benefit. You'll have to make a claim for UC for any help with rent costs. This will automatically stop your tax credits.
UC is made up of elements: Standard allowance + Child element + housing + childcare. There are other elements that can be added for disabilities, etc

As PP have said, try the calculator to see what you might be able to get.
benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

Thanks, I did the universal credit calculator. I'd be about £25/ week better off on universal credit as it takes housing into account. I'm a bit wary as I've heard bad things about universal credit but I guess it's going to everyone eventually anyway.

Are you in a two bed place? Could you consider a one bed place? You would still get two bed allowance when housing benefit is calculated.
I sleep in lounge - not ideal but saves money!

I pm'd you about UC.

Did you apply for council tax relief?