Help where do I turn and what do I get ???

[worriedmummy]

Not sure where to start. I have never posted here before and am a little wary of doing so but here goes...
My Husband has just left me and I'm falling apart but the biggest issue is I am 7 months pregnant and have a daughter of 4. I have no income as have been a sahm for a year now and live in private rented accomodation. I can pay the rent this month and poss survive till end of August but after that.......
My now ex is of no help and I've already lost contact with him, he's simply done a runner.

I have no family in this country and not really anyone to turn to, in my present circumstances.

I feel so impotent(if thats the right word) as at 7 months pregnant I can hardly go out to work which is what I would ordinarily do. I am a strong person and bizzarely think I can get through this (things were bad for so long that now it's almost a relief).

I have never claimed benefits, so really don't know where to turn and am a little scared that I might end up homeless at such a crazy time....

Sorry if this is long and rambling but you ladies seem to know the in's and out's of so many things.I have been lurking for a while but have only just built up the courage...

Any advice appreciated

I don't have any advice, but I'm sure you will get some shortly. Just wanted to say I am so sorry this has happened to you now. But you sound like a very strong person and I'm sure once you sort out the financial aspect you will be loads better off. And you have a lovely new baby to look forward to. Good luck.

What a horrible situation - loads of sympathy worriedmummy.
Gingerbread has a website and a helpline for single parents. Gingerbread .
Their phone number is 0800 0184318 and it's open 9-5pm for advice on what to do next.
Keep posting - there are a lot of mumsnetters going through very similar situations at the moment.

Oh God worriedmummy, i'm so sorry. Do you have friends who'll be able to come round? Wish I could think of something else to say. Read all the post on anything to do with this topic and perhaps find comfort when you see that others have come out the other side of your situation smiling. Sending you a big hug {{{{}}}} and know you'll find support and comfrot from the mums on this wonderful site.

Just to say I'm so sorry. I'm going through something similar but am not pregnant and (at the moment) don't have financial concerns. I may be being naive but your ex does have financial reponsibilities. Is he not traceable? What about friends/family for support. I'd phone for professional advice asap and get support from family and friends - I'm sure they'll want to help.

Hi worriedmummy. You are likely to be entitled to Income Support and there's more information here. You should also contact your local council to find out about entitlement to council tax and housing benefit. There are entitlement details for Canterbury, here and if your council has similar criteria you will very likely be entitled to help with your rent and council tax. You will need to contact your local council to find out your entitlement though but please don't panic about becoming homeless yet. There's also an organisation called One Parent Families, and their online helpdesk is here so they may be able to help with other benefit entitlements.

Use the first link to search on child benefit too since this is paid at a (very slightly) higher rate for one parent families. You may also be entitled to a Sure Start maternity grant to help with the costs of the new baby and there are entitlement details, here. You may also want to contact the Child Support Agency and give them all the details you have of your husband's whereabouts, since they will try to contact him and ask for maintenance contributions.

You might also find Homestart a help.

I know this is all just practical stuff and the emotional stuff must also be hard to deal with. If you need to talk though you'll get plenty of support here on mumsnet. Welcome.

great post, www. good luck, worriedmummy, nothing to add to the excellent advice here already, stay strong

I think www has said everything that needs to be said, so just sending you lots of sympathy and best wishes. Things must look bleak at the moment but you WILL get through this, and I'm sure after speaking with a few of the people mentioned in www's message things will look a lot brighter.

(((hugs)))

I work in Housing benefits and I know that if you are entitled to Income Support (and being 7 months pregnant you almost certainly will be), then you will be entitled to full Housing Benefit. ie your rent will be paid in full. However, there are restrictions... You will get all of your rent paid for the first 13 weeks of your claim (as long as you have not made a claim within the previous 52 weeks) and then your benefit will be restricted to an amount which is set by your local rent officer. You will then have to make up the shortfall yourself, or you could apply to your local council for a 'discretionary hardship payment'. You will have to give them details of your income and expenditure and reasons why you cannot afford the extra rent. However, this is down to the council whether they will grant it or not, and is usually only allowed for a certain period (to give you time to look for cheaper accommodation elsewhere).
The thing you must do though is make a claim as soon as possible!! You will only be allowed benefit from the monday following the date of your claim. Also, make an application to your local authority ASWELL as to the Benefits Agency. (They will give you forms to claim Housing and Council Tax benefit, but to be on the safe side I would claim with the Local Authority too) When you go to make your claim you will need all sorts of documentation. Proof of your income, savings, any bank accounts(two monthly statements), two forms of ID, proof of your rent (tenancy agreement, rent book)Proof of child benefit. However, even if you dont have them all to hand right now, still make a claim immediately. They will give you time to get back with the info needed. Also, let your landlord know the situation if thats possible.

I hope this has been of some use to you and I wish you all the luck in the world xxx

I just re-read your message and remembered that you said you could MANAGE til the end of August. DON'T do that! There is help out there for you NOW! Please go and get it! After all, you will have your new baby to look after then, and we all know how much time they can take up!!!

Good luck x

Where abouts are you - do you need anything - have you got family who can help - sorry am supposed to be working so have to scan everything.