pregnant, 18, single, council flats?? helpppp

Question

Hi everyone, I am 18 I am newly pregnant 7 weeks and 3 days.

I don't want to be stressing but what kind of benefits can I claim and when can I claim them??

And I cannot live in my parents home as there is no such room for a new born and it's cramped as hell at the moment.

I was wondering is it best to apply for a council flat when I hit 5-6months or shall I wait until I'm in my last trimester and apply for emergency. I think that's abit risky but I feel like they will only put me in a hostel or somewhere uncomfortable.

Or could I find my own flat and pay the deposit which accepts housing benefits????

Someone with some sort of advice please you will be a lifesaver!!!!! 💙💙

When is best to apply for council flat and benefits ???

Thankyou!!!

Answer

If you want to rent privately you can get LHA...you can check online to see how much you're entitled to. Ring up the benefits advice line to tell them about your situation and what they recommend. I live in London and council housing in my area is very hard to get, pretty much only declaring yourself homeless and going for emergency accommodation would be the way to go, not sure about where you are though. Good luck x

Answer

I would go and speak to your local housing provider and see what the best way forward is. I think it varies from area to area, but you're not necessarily eligible just because you're having a baby. You usually have to be estranged from parents or your house meets the councils overcrowding rules. If you have your own room, it is unlikely you would meet this. You need advice as to local rules.

If you really can't stay at home, you may be best applying for local young people's accommodation- hostel, foyer, etc, who will help you move on to a local authority property in time for when baby comes. This will give you practise at budgeting, as you usually need to pay a nominal rent out of your benefits (the rest met by housing benefit), if you keep up with this it goes a long way in your favour when looking at moving into another property. They will also help you to sort out your benefit claims. Private renting may be an option, this is usually slightly more expensive than local authority property so you have to make up the shortfall out of your benefits.

Benefits wise, my knowledge is a few years out of date and I don't understand universal credit!! I also worked with care leavers, so returning home wasn't an option. Old system wise. You can't claim Income Support until later in your pregnancy, unless you're estranged from parents and a student (so not available for work). You can submit a claim before your due date. You can claim JSA though until you're eligible to change over. You also receive child tax credit and child benefit when baby arrives- plus housing benefit which is triggered by other benefits and a claim. You don't get more until you're supporting a child. I'm not sure what happens if you're still at home when baby arrives benefits wise as it never happened in my line of work! I think they still do a maternity grant for essential baby items which you can claim with proof of other benefits.

Answer

I couldn't fit everything on!!

You may have to present as homeless and engage with services in that way by accepting emergency accommodation even if it's not what you had in mind, etc. They have strict rules though so you would have to fully engage and stay there 7 nights a week in order to demonstrate that you are in need of housing and have nowhere else to go. You would be given support to move info suitable and permanent accommodation before baby arrives.

Answer

I'm not sure about all your benefits I think it's different where I am sorry but just stay strong and good luck! 💖
I'm 18 so I know you feel, kinda but you could try calling a support line and I'm sure they would have the best advice x

pregnant, 18, single, council flats?? helpppp

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