Please help, just left my bf, I have 13 mo and 8m preg

[Use627]

Hi, I have just split up with my bf, we have a 13 mont old and I'm 8 months pregnant. I don't work since just before my son was born, my partner pays the rent and bills. I do claim UC but this isn't enough to cover rent for a place for me and 2 children. My mum can help us out financially but probably not a lot, I can stay with her for a little bit but she does not have room for me and 2 babies. Does anyone know what I can do? There are absolutely no council or housing association houses in or around my area. Please help I am desperate.

Also, going forward after my son is born, am I right in thinking you get 80% towards childcare if you go back to work and claim UC?
Thank you to anyone who replies

Can you rent privately and put your name down for a council house in other areas in the meantime?

I don't have enough money to rent privately, and would like to stay near my mum for support really. Thank you for trying to think though, it's a tough one

Have you been in touch with the council to ensure you’re on a list? I would think you would be a priority with two babies.

Call Women’s Aid and ask for their help in figuring out what you’re entitled to and how to get somewhere safe for you to live. Although (you haven’t said) you’re not coming from a Domestic Violence situation, they still help women in vulnerable situations, which you are

Have you been on Entitled To and worked out how much UC you would get if you were renting privately? I think it allows you to add unborn DC so you can work out what it woul be once your baby arrives.

It will then just be a question of what the shortfall is between private rental and your local housing allowance.

Your ex will also need to pay child support?

Present to the council as homeless now. If you go to your mums you will have a roof over your head and won't be such a priority. Or go to your mums for a few days then get her to write a letter "evicting" you.

Be strong!

@User52739

Have you been in touch with the council to ensure you’re on a list? I would think you would be a priority with two babies.

I haven't since the split, so I will do thank you.

@ChilliWillies

Call Women’s Aid and ask for their help in figuring out what you’re entitled to and how to get somewhere safe for you to live. Although (you haven’t said) you’re not coming from a Domestic Violence situation, they still help women in vulnerable situations, which you are

I will once I gather myself together, thank you so much

@klangers

Present to the council as homeless now. If you go to your mums you will have a roof over your head and won't be such a priority. Or go to your mums for a few days then get her to write a letter "evicting" you.

Be strong!

Yeah I'd seen people do this on TV haha so that's what I was thinking of doing but didn't know how it works! Thank you

@BraxtonChic

Have you been on Entitled To and worked out how much UC you would get if you were renting privately? I think it allows you to add unborn DC so you can work out what it woul be once your baby arrives.

It will then just be a question of what the shortfall is between private rental and your local housing allowance.

Your ex will also need to pay child support?

I'll do this now, do you know how much % of his wage he will have to pay?thank you

This is what you need :

www.gov.uk/calculate-child-maintenance

And do speak to your local council - when I left my exH many years ago there were no council or HA places available, and so I had to go into private rental. I was working a few hours so I didn't get full HB, but we survived.

If your mum could help you with a loan for a deposit and first month's rent, you just need to find a private landlord who accepts "DSS" aka housing benefit. Gumtree and OpenRent are probably your best bet to start searching.

Make sure you know how much HB you'll be entitled to so you're not going over budget!

I would always recommend private renting if your area has low LA housing stock. If the council houses you, you could end up in an absolute shit hole and if you refuse it you can be taken off the list.