Natalie&Karl

Me and Karl are meeting with Camden Council today to discuss our housing etc...

Not really sure what to expect....

LOADS of people have told us to basically lie through our teeth to get as much help as possible but we're taking the honest route with slight exxageration, so that we're not completely ignored!

My mum has written me a letter to say that she will not allow me to live at home with the baby and that my house is over crowded (well truth is she wouldnt kick me out but wouldnt be best too pleased if we lived at mine and me and Karl share the single bed in my tiny room - so in that sense it is over crowded).

Is it reasonable to expect them to give us some financial support towards housing whilst on my maternity leave..? Thats the only reason we'll struggle - because of my crappy maternity pay.

Anyone have any advice...?

Arcanegirl

Good luck natalie
Unfortunatley ive learnt that with benefits and things you have to lie to get what you need. Those who are honest usually get nothing and those who are dishonest get everything (personal experience)

Natalie&Karl

Yeah i think you could be right Arcanegirl - makes you sick doesnt it!?

Ah well suppose i'll just have to wait and see!

Eelis

I went to my local council about homelessness advice (I thought I was going to be on my own for a while as partner not very supportive) and I was basically told that unless I was taking drugs, in debt, being abused etc etc there was not much they could do for me. I do live in a part of the country with a very bad housing crisis but i was still surprised at the lack of available support considering I was a potential single mum on my own with no where to live.

Even the fact I had a job went against me!

If you are both working then it may well be that you are entitled to housing benefit, or a rent top up, so that whilst you are on maternity leave they pay what you could have been paying towards the rent on a private let until you are back on full pay again.

I do sympathise with your situation, it's a scarey position to find yourself in. Good luck with the council.

Arcanegirl

How did it go Natalie?

Natalie&Karl

Well we went along and had our meeting - woman wasnt the friendliest person i've ever met - didnt think it hurt to smile now and then!

Anyway, she basically just photocopied all my documents and explained that they could help us with a deposit and i'm guessing the rent...

She said she needs to run through things with her manager so our application is approved...

She didnt ask many questions at all to be honest, she did most of the talking.
Wants to see our passports, proof of address and pay slips (thougth they wouldve asked us to bring them before the meeting!!)

Once they see Karl's and my wages (27k and 24k) i think we'll be put straight to the bak of the pile, behind the unemployed, druggies, hookers, illegals and whatever else they come across.

The thing they dont seem to grasp is that Karl has other financial commitments - loan and car mainly so he basically doesnt see much of his wage and also the fact that i wont be earning my wage - so pointless me bringing in my pay slip! But i think i'll write another letter when we hand our documents in.

She just ended with "hang tight" with your mum and you'll probably be able to start looking for a place end of June.

In Camden its based on a points system - so you can bid for properties in your point range or something like that...

Shame that me living in the Borough for 21 years and my family for probably over 100 years doesnt count for anything...

Very frustrating and we wouldnt be asking for help unless we needed it!

Jo

Just hang in there hun, thats all you can do, councils are t***ers wherever you are

Imi

Awww hunni i had this problem when i split from the Ex ... (lucky i have a wonderful OH now)

The council we T***s!!! ...

hope you get somewhere hun!
xxx

Natalie&Karl

Thanks girls - i'm sure we'll manage - just have to spend the first 9 months on bread and water or bread and milk in the babys case lol.

Caroline

I went to see if we could get any support when i had dd last time (my sal appros 45k) after 6weeks when on SMP then £100 aweek, to pay mortgage etc is a joke. DH doesn't work as he stays at home to look after DS (and 2 dd now). I was basically told to sod off. That you get child benefit to look after kids needs, and you get sweet bugger all. We did have savings which i'd put aside for ML but would have been nice to get some help.

I really hope u r successful hun and u get some help, but those that work hard and pay tax seem to get nothing even for short time when they need it and those that haven't done a days work in thier life seem to get given everything and cheat the system. Sorry to go off on one and if i offend anyone but the system in this country sucks.

Kepping everything crossed they help u out. If they don't i think there is something called the social fund that u can apply to for an interest free loan that u pay back when u can, but it is dependant on if ur council has enough money in the pot. Maybe worth looking into if get no help.