Hey ladies,

Im currently living at home with my mum and brothers with LO. Am trying to save up some money so I can move out but cannot afford to private rent! So been looking into housing executive...i live in N.I. Im just confused about it all!! Does anyone have any ideas what kind of housing/flat I would be offered on my own with a LO? Also what kind of housing benefit I would get?And would i be waiting forever? Its so complex! I currently get SMP, Child Tax credits and Child Benefit. Though do they take it on the 08/09 tax year thing on a p60? If so my income was just over £4000....any ideas? Tried using entitledto.com but wasnt sure if what i was entering was right etc!

I'm not sure what it's like in N.I hun. But the council 'should' be able to give you a 2 bedroom house/flat, and pay the rent and council tax. Best thing would probably be best to go and speak to someone in the housing department at your local council xx

Unfortunately theres a shortage of council houses everywhere so OP could be waiting years

Yeah thats the bad bit The waiting list especially as I dont drive and need to be quite close to my mums house and my work etc and the area we live in atm probably has the longest waiting list especially since they are turning all the flats in our area into two bed apartments atm and there will be less of them so the people that lived in the flats before that will get priorit obviously....been looking at private renting(not a secure tenancy though) and trying to think about roughly how much housing benefit i would get and how much i might have to pay myself but then also have to take into account if the house/flat/apartment has oil i would have to pay deposit and first months rent upfront on top of oil and everything else like electric, phonebill, internet, tv licence, food etc.

Its all so complicated and confusing! How does everyone else do it?lol

Think im going to have to go to CAB and get the lady there to explain it all to me. Our local housing place wont give you the time or the day for advice until your on the list and even then arnt that bothered. grrr

Oh, I guess I was quite lucky then, was only waiting 2 months. CAB is your best bet yeah, she can go through council, and private and explain it all properly

Yeah maybe il be lucky not sure though! Guessil find out soon enough but thank you! xx