well hello there everyone....havent posted for a few days now so i thought id ask people about housing benifits..

right then ....i am imagining me and my girlfriend will through time when the child comes along i am looking to go private and look into houses/flats near my area...and i was wondering if you could help me or share some advise on bills on costs for electric,gas,heating...etc and also if someone could advise me what sort of benifits are out there if i did go private and my girlfriend living with me also...she is at college without a job and i am earning 14,000 per year but im really unsure what is available out there...


can anyone shed some light on this for me please...many thanks in advance

jenny that is soo good of u to put it that way....nice 1!!!!

Rent - £66.70 a week
Housing benefit £66.70 a week (dont pay a penny)

£15 electric a week (my flat is only electric, no gas, but when i was in a gas supplied house it was £15 a week in winter hardly any in summer.)
my weekly food bill comes to £20 but will obviously be more when baby arrives, same with electric.

water rates are about £30 a month.
tv licence on the new scheme is £23 a month.
and contents insurance through the councils scheme is £7 a month.

and my extras are virgin tv package £35 a month, 12.50 a month contract mobile.
hope that helps.

EDIT. i dont work, technically live on my own, in council flat (will be eligable for 2 bedroomed house completely paid for by housing benefit when baby arrives.)

obviously it will be differnt for you, just giving you a rough idea.

Right,
Because of you're income you should get Inscome support, this will vary as you're working and you lady is in education. she can apply for it (through your local council) at 11 weeks before the birth. If she is under 19 and still in education her parents are responsible for her money issues. This makes it harder.

direct.gov.uk/money4mum2be will explain that at 25 weeks your missus can apply for a compulsary £190 grant from the government.

Housing benefit will depend on what they decide you need on your income, it will cover all, or a lump sum of your rent and possibly your council tax too, but all bills are up to you.

Try moneysavingexpert website its excellent.

Try and just have a home phone, if you need mobiles get pay as you go, that way you dont risk having a bill coming in monthly that you sometimes cant pay ;S
On pay-as-you-go try and get these new bundle deals with free calls or texts for a certain top up amount, then just try and use the free stuff.

Try freegle in your area, ebay, local free ads and buying from people you know for cheap alternatives.
By supermarket own brands etc...

Basic common sense.

You will get child benefit, again, everyone gets this but the amount can be as little as £6 a week.

As for bills, try to find a place with bills included, it may be a little harder to find and a bit more expensive, but that extra £100 rent is less than all the bills would cost.
If you can, try to get a gas and electric meter instead of a monthly bill, that way you top it up like a phone, down you're local corner shop when it runs low. And most will go into an extra £5 emergency mode, keeping the gas/electric going for a couple of days until you can get the money.


if you need anything else, search the net, or try going onto the connexxions website and talk to an online adviser, they're really really helpful!!

xx

also if you can get a water meter fitted (some landlords / councils dont allow them)
they save a HELL of alot.
i've lived in 5 houses on my own, and one property i could have a water meter and with just me it was £7 a month obviously would be more with baby and partner, but i have a bath every day and 3 million kettle fills lmao, so wouldn't be rediculously more, and water averages at about £30-35 depending on area on standard charge.
i know a few people that got water meters and noticed a massive differnce.

Sorry to hijack ur thread stevon..hope u dont mind
Jenny how do u apply for Child Tax Credit/Working Tax Credit? Iv tried looking online but its just rlly confusing :S
Thanx xx

Child benefit is a standard amount no matter what your income as it is non means tested, for your first child it is £80 every four weeks.

I think Jenny gave you fab advice as you are in pretty similar situations x