I apologize for long post. So we have been a 1 person income household for about 1 1/2 year now. I just started receiving cash assistance because of disability. We have a 5 year old (my son from previous relationship, but whose father has never been involved) and an almost 9 month old. My boyfriend for the past 1 1/2 year has kept all the money in his possession, and I mean literally in his work van because he does not have a bank account and he gets paid in cash. For the past 1 1/2 year I have had to ask him if I needed money for anything and it was always "his money" never ours. Now mind you before we moved into our current apartment and I got pregnant it was not like that. It was always "our money". Now since I've just started getting money this month I haven't been able to do any of the things I've wanted to do with it such as pay bills and pay back money to people we owe. He has still been in control of it. It may be in my possession but he keeps making up excuses and reasons for me needing to give him money. I thought once I had my own income then I would be able to use the money as I saw fit just like he has been doing. And not for anything selfish but for bills and such. And when I brought it up to him he guilt tripped me and made me feel like an a******. Idk what to do anymore without it causing some horrible fight. 😞 help please.

I should probably add that I am afraid of him and leaving isn't an option. I can't just say no, it's not that simple. If I do I'll get punished in one way or another. And as I said before leaving is not an option, I have explored it many times, and right now it's not possible.