Then I fell pregnant I took maternity leave in april 08 and had a baby boy in may 08 I went down to statutory maternity pay after 6 weeks and as I was the main earner it really effected us. (I earned 20,000 a year and my boyfriend 15,000 per year before tax) I took home about 1200 a month but to be reduced to about 500 a month was crippling us . We applied for housing benefit and undated our tax credits we were getting 41 a week tax credits it was upped to 70 a week. Housing benefit was awarded to us of 125 a month so we were missing about 450 a month from our previous income.

We found ourselves getting deeper and deeper in debt as each month went by, our bills went up as our income was going down. (my gas and electric alone went from 40 a month to 135!) we started missing payments on loans we had, and previous debt and our credit rating was getting worse and worse.

Then the unthinkable happened the other day I received notice from my landlady that she requires possession of our home in two months. I phoned some letting agents and because our income is so low we cant afford anything in the area without a guarantor (we don’t know anyone who owns their own home or who has the income to do that) Plus because our credit rating is so bad we wouldn’t pass the credit reference.

So I phoned the council (as we are already on the waiting list) They didn’t seem to understand we are going to be homeless in two months with a 6 year old and a 6 month old, and we cant afford where we are living now even though apparently we can afford an 800 a month according to what the housing benefit say????

So I phoned Shelter and in so may words they informed me that the council will put me through hell and back in the hope I find my own way out of the situation. I may have to wait in my home for the court and bailiffs to throw me out (and I have to pay for the privilege of this) I will then be homed in temporary accommodation which does not have to even be in the town it can be miles away. So how my boyfriend can get to work and how I can get my son to school I don’t know (We don’t drive) and this can be for as long as they want, as long as it takes for us to prove we cant get out of it ourselves.

I am not an asylum seeker, I was born in this country and so were my family and my boyfriends family, I am not a single mother, My boyfriend works and until i had a baby so did I. I have worked and paid taxes the past 12 years, I didn’t ask for this to happen but I cant prevent it either. It is humiliating enough to ask for help but to be made to beg and prove that I need it is going to be one of most soul destroying and humiliating experience of my life.

I cant return to my job because due to the cost of childcare we wouldn’t be any better off and I worked through my 6 year olds early years and we are only just building our relationship back again, how can I look after a home, two children a husband and give them my support and love in less than an hour a day after work while they are eating their dinner. My children need at least one parent around surely?

So I ask you all what do i do? Does anyone have any advice? Has anyone been in a similar situation? feel free to ask questions too