Hi
Im looking for some advice. Sorry this is long and complicated.
Im 30. I have a 4 year old. (i am taking my ex husband to court for maintenance for my 4 year old as i am not in receipt of any). I separated from my husband in early 2007. I moved in with a relative as i could not afford the mortgage and my spouse had the better job. I did not apply for any welfare as i was working.
I have worked since i was 16 up until summer 2008 when i lost my job. I went on jobseekers and applied for BTEA for sept08 (i had built up enough signing days to qualify for this as i had my hours cut in work for the previous year and had been claiming for one day a week).
So i started a degree on my BTEA in sept 08. My relative died and the house went to probate so I had no choice but to move out. I applied for and was granted rent allowance in summer 2009 and got a house for me and my son. During the summer break of 2009 i switched back to jobseekers then back to btea for the term 09/10. Its the summer period now and this time i am on lone parents instead of jobseekers and due to go back on btea in september.
I am 18 months into a relationship with a new partner. He is a graduate but is unfortunately unemployed. He gets jobseekers. He has been accepted onto a masters and has applied for btea for this coming term...but is not sure if he can do it because of the huge cost, if he waits until next year he can get the grant BUT he is cracking up being unemployed.
At present he does not live with me but does stay over regularly. I am not even sure if he is supposed to? However, i am due a baby at the end of this month. Our relationship is solid and I am happy and we would like for him to live here.
However here is my dilemma...I will not be going to college this year and have asked to defer my final year until 2011/2012 as it will be too much for me with a new baby. I have spoken to my county council who will defer my grant for the year. I would now like to defer my btea but this means i would have to remain on lone parents for the year. But if my partner moves in then i wont be a lone parent? Or can i go back on jobseekers - or will they give me this if he gets it and they know ive just had a baby??
Can the two of us keep our individual welfare payments?? or would his payment be affected? Also is he allowed to move in? Am i entitled or is he entitled to the adjustment for an additional child in our payments?
I would also like to to get a part time job but not sure if this will affect my rent etc...i have been actively looking this year but have had no joy due to being pregnant.
I dont know what to do or who to approach. I'm not trying to cheat the system and i cant be living in fear of being caught doing something wrong. But times are hard, money is tight and I'm afraid i'll have to sacrifice living as a family just so i can survive financially..if that makes sense. If we decide to carry on with him not living with me surely they will try to stop my lone parents when i submit a birth cert to adjust my childrens allowance etc? I feel like im doing something wrong, i dont think i am but i cant live with the stress!
As ive said previously i have paid tax for many years and intend to work again as soon as I am qualified in my new field so i dont need the abuse that others seem to be getting. Especially being heavily pregnant...cheers for any advice, id really appreciate it.
Im looking for some advice. Sorry this is long and complicated.
Im 30. I have a 4 year old. (i am taking my ex husband to court for maintenance for my 4 year old as i am not in receipt of any). I separated from my husband in early 2007. I moved in with a relative as i could not afford the mortgage and my spouse had the better job. I did not apply for any welfare as i was working.
I have worked since i was 16 up until summer 2008 when i lost my job. I went on jobseekers and applied for BTEA for sept08 (i had built up enough signing days to qualify for this as i had my hours cut in work for the previous year and had been claiming for one day a week).
So i started a degree on my BTEA in sept 08. My relative died and the house went to probate so I had no choice but to move out. I applied for and was granted rent allowance in summer 2009 and got a house for me and my son. During the summer break of 2009 i switched back to jobseekers then back to btea for the term 09/10. Its the summer period now and this time i am on lone parents instead of jobseekers and due to go back on btea in september.
I am 18 months into a relationship with a new partner. He is a graduate but is unfortunately unemployed. He gets jobseekers. He has been accepted onto a masters and has applied for btea for this coming term...but is not sure if he can do it because of the huge cost, if he waits until next year he can get the grant BUT he is cracking up being unemployed.
At present he does not live with me but does stay over regularly. I am not even sure if he is supposed to? However, i am due a baby at the end of this month. Our relationship is solid and I am happy and we would like for him to live here.
However here is my dilemma...I will not be going to college this year and have asked to defer my final year until 2011/2012 as it will be too much for me with a new baby. I have spoken to my county council who will defer my grant for the year. I would now like to defer my btea but this means i would have to remain on lone parents for the year. But if my partner moves in then i wont be a lone parent? Or can i go back on jobseekers - or will they give me this if he gets it and they know ive just had a baby??
Can the two of us keep our individual welfare payments?? or would his payment be affected? Also is he allowed to move in? Am i entitled or is he entitled to the adjustment for an additional child in our payments?
I would also like to to get a part time job but not sure if this will affect my rent etc...i have been actively looking this year but have had no joy due to being pregnant.
I dont know what to do or who to approach. I'm not trying to cheat the system and i cant be living in fear of being caught doing something wrong. But times are hard, money is tight and I'm afraid i'll have to sacrifice living as a family just so i can survive financially..if that makes sense. If we decide to carry on with him not living with me surely they will try to stop my lone parents when i submit a birth cert to adjust my childrens allowance etc? I feel like im doing something wrong, i dont think i am but i cant live with the stress!
As ive said previously i have paid tax for many years and intend to work again as soon as I am qualified in my new field so i dont need the abuse that others seem to be getting. Especially being heavily pregnant...cheers for any advice, id really appreciate it.