Not sure about that EricaPNP. I'll ask how she is getting on. She will be seeing the legal people soon - as the child benefit is a major step for her but I will remind her about the other issues. She has been worried that she may not get housing benefit and Social Services may stop funding but thanks to everyones help and the intervention of Shelter that is not now such a problem. I'll let you know as soon as I know. Thanks again.

Dear all. Just to update you on the latest situation. Child Benefit has just been granted and with this she (hopefully) get some sort of Housing Benefit. She has waited for 26 weeks to hear about the child benefit. Many, many thanks for all your help and encouragement. You are all wonderful and helped so much when we were in despair. This lady has been with us for so long she is like a daughter. She is looking to do some charity work as a way of giving back something to the community. She sends her regards to all who helped her and through me will be making a donation to this site (again). Good luck and good fortune to all the kind people of this Forum.

Just a quick update. The lady has been to see everybody. We have just come back from Welfare Rights. Everybody she has seen so far has said they will help. Shelter will appeal to Social Services but it looks like she will be here for another week, at least, whilst waiting her childs passport to come through. All the people who have promised to help are now waiting to see which benefits she may or may not get and then they can start to help her if she does not get them. Everything is so slow. She registered as self employed as a translator and picked up a couple of jobs quite quickly. She is now (since today) receiving tax credits so that is a step in the right direction.Thanks to everyone for their help and good wishes. Will post an update (and perhaps conclusion) sometime in the future when I know more.

Friday she had a helpful meeting with Shelter but more specialist help is needed there. They are also waiting for the outcome of her meetings with the legal people and Welfare Rights but in the meantime are going to put in an appeal to Social Services. They did try to ring but the lady who deals with her case was not around so they will try again on Monday. At least I know that Shelter will do all they can and not just give empty promises. They are excellent people.

Thanks very much to ErikaPNP and to Mikey for the generous amount of time and effort you have put into this problem. Every bit helps in some way or another. Appointment with Shelter tomorrow, Legal people on Monday and Welfare Rights on Thursday next week. She also has to go to fill forms in on Monday with Soc Services for a passport for the child which is why she has a weeks grace. Will keep you informed as things progress or not as the case may be. Thanks again - I'm overwhelmed by the responses of all the kind poeple out there.

She's been here for just over a year. Without saying too much of her circumstances she will be in trouble if she returns home and also in danger as well as her family there. She has an appointment to see Shelter, Legal people and Welfare Rights. Soc Services has said she can stay another week while the childs passport is sorted out. I wish it was just as easy for her to go home safely but its not and no Citizenkain theres not much more to this than meets the eye apart from someone coming to UK to escape violence, falling in love, having a child and then being subjected to more violence and walking out on that relationship. If I thought it was easier for her to go back I would have advised her to do so. If she were a man she wouldn't be in this situation but she has a child to care for and can't really go out and find just any old job. Thanks for your help everyone - its very much appreciated - even the harsh comments which make me want to fight harder for her.

They have asked her to voluntarily return home. They say they can not keep paying for her. They will not wait until any benefits are sorted. The consequences of her not going home as far as Social Services are concerned are that she will be out on the street with her child with nowhere to live. She has an appointment to see Shelter, Welfare Rights and a free legal advice centre. I appreciate any help or suggestions.

Dramatic turn of events. Social Services havetoday told her that they will not pay for her to stay here after Friday. They have told her to go to Liverpool, get a passport for her child and they would pay for a ticket for her to go home. The poor lady is distraught! No sign of any benefits coming through yet.Help please!

Thanks Aviva. I shall do that. At the moment her child is in hospital so I will update her when she gets back.

Thanks. You have gone to a lot of trouble to find out this information. I have also been looking and have printed her some notes on the right to reside and Hab Res status. I'll also look at the website you suggest. Once again thank you for your help.

Not married and the father is not a British citizen. He would know where she was as they have a mutual friend where he lives.

I'll persue this tomorrow. I do know that he's not a nice man and perhaps she is frightened of what he may do to her. Thanks for the advice.

Thanks Mikey. She has to wait until Thursday before she can phone for appointment. Can everybody who has been helped by this site PLEASE DONATE. I shall donate on Friday when my money goes into the bank. This is only the second time I have needed help but everybody has been so helpful. Thanks again.

Just an update.The lady rang about Child Benefit claim and they said it could take 26 weeks to go through!! She spoke to Welfare Rights people and has to wait until Thursday to phone for appointment. Thanks everyone

She has NI number. Does that mean she can stay? Will phone today about her child benefit claim. Thanks for advice TCman.

She has put in a claim for child benefit but that was weeks ago. She will be chasing it up tomorrow. I will also get her to go to the Welfare Rights people as a matter of urgency. Thanks for the help Mikey and EricaPNP.

I run a hostel for homeless people. A lady from Lithuania and baby aged 9 months (born in UK) are staying here. She left her partner in England because of violence. Social Services are paying for her stay and giving her money (about £30 per week) for food and essentials for the child, but have told her that they will soon stop paying for her and if she can not manage she will have to return home (which she is unable to do) or they will take the child away from her. They say she can not claim Housing Benefit. Can anyone tell me if she is entitled to claim anything at all to enable her to live. At the moment I am supporting her by giving her food and other essentials. Her situation is really desperate.

Cabot!!!! They have phoned me constantly at all hours asking for my husband. They even continued to phone after I asked them not to and after I told them that my husband was seriously ill and could not speak to them. Very often they would call and put the phone down when I answered. The last time they phoned I took your advice and warned them about the calls. They said they would write but have failed to do so. I am now going to write to them quoting one of your template letters re phone calls. Excellent advice from you so far. Thanks