can I get any financial help?

[jennyxx]

I am going to admit defeat and look at getting some form of help benefits, such a hard decision but I just don't know what to do.

I, now pregnant, earn next to nothing as I was a model before (about £400 a month) and my fiance earns around £1000 per month weather depending as he is a gardener/forestry worker.


Our current problems financially are

1) although this isn't really a problem, we have one more payment of £450 on our loan

2) just got a really awful letter to say I owe the council £380 and if I don't pay within 7 days I will loose my right to pay monthly which I don't have the money for

3) our heating bill is off the scale


basically the figures no longer add up and we literally have to "hide" as we have no way of borrowing...I just don't know what to do

 

[ellismum]

You NEED to address the council debt first. Phone them first thing Monday to discuss this and see if you can come to an arrangement with them. Changing to 12 monthly payments instead of 10 if this is how you currently pay will free up some cash every month going forward too. This is really urgent hon. You will have the cash next month once the final loan payment has gone through so tell them that but please do not put off sorting this!!!!

Secondly, apply for Housing and Countil Tax benefit ASAP. Check online with you councils website to see what you are elidgeable for. My OH lost his job 3 weeks ago and while I bring in more than your OH we still qualify for £290 a month combined which is a relief considering rent is 70% of my take home pay!

I'm not to hot on maternity related benefits but you may be elidgeable to Maternity Allowance, someone more cluded will be able to advise here.

Once baby is here you will get CB every 4 weeks of £82 and a few pennies and CTC.

 

[LoraLoo]

I think Ellismum has given you some good advice I'd also recommend this website Entitledto.com it only takes 2 minutes to put your details in and it will bring up what you are entitled to, i find it pretty accurate, and you can go back and add baby on to it so it will show what help you may get when LO arrives x

 

[Flowers Jasmn]

The advice you have received here is good. you do not run away from a debt, but you pay it. if you cannot pay, you negotiate. Find out more about the possible reliefs you can enjoy.Ultimately your OH should start hunting for a better paying job.