Need Resources and Advice

LegacyUser

I didn't know what thread to post in but long story short, my mom took an argument too far and I ended up with bruises that lasted 2 weeks. I'm terrified of her. The day after this happened, I left. Around a week later I moved into a room in the same house as my older sister. My dad (has no legal guardianship and I can't stay with him due to no fire escapes in the building) agreed to pay the rent for the room as I had nowhere else to go.

I've been living here for a month now. My mom has had no issue with me leaving and denies the whole thing, but yelled at me when my dad stopped paying her my child support because he has to pay my rent. She still gets money from the government for me, and I haven't asked for any of it.

I turn 18 in 5 months. I have to pay for food and any and all school fees by myself. If my sister fosters me, she gets money that would cover that. However, I need my moms consent to be fostered by my sister. I also have no way to pay for college since I've moved out, my mom told me that I'm now counted as an independent and I'll get no grant or support from the government (I don't know if I can believe her).

I dont know what to do, I don't want to get my mom in trouble because my younger sister could be taken away. I'm terrified of running out of money, or getting in trouble for just leaving like I did.

Does anyone know any resources that would help me? I know of Liberty House but I don't know what they can do for me. I tried contacting TUSLA via chat but the staff stopped replying when I said it involved abuse, and I didn't have time to wait (and I was afraid to get officials involved). I need to know what grants I can get and how my sister can foster me I guess? I'm very unsure of my next steps or what I should be researching.

Any advice is appreciated, thanks for reading.

Airyfairy12

Since youre 18 in five months there might not be anything they can do as youre legally an adult. Can you try and get a part time job? Tesco, Dunnes Stores, Aldi ect are great for hiring young people with no experience and they pay very well. You'll still get a grant to go to third level, in fact youve a much higher chance of being awarded a grant if youre independant.

august12

Lodge your susi application, use your new address or if already lodged, amend so all correspondence comes to you, I think there is a category of independent under exceptional circumstances i.e. where applicant is not getting financial help from parents, you may need to check through t and c of the Susi process, citizens information website is pretty good for info. You are nearly 18 years old, no point in considering fostering.

njs030

As soon as you turn 18 you would no longer be eligible for foster care so there's very little point applying.
Why can't you live with your father? It's irrelevant if he has legal guardianship as your mother doesn't seem bothered about where you live and has consented to you leaving home.

You can also contact social welfare and tell them you no longer live with her and your child benefit payment to her will stop.

As for college that's not till next year I would gather? So perhaps talk to your teachers and social welfare about grants and what you should apply for.

Redser87

The SVP helps some recipients through college but funds depend on donations and not everybody who applies gets it. You would need to contact head office well in advance of starting college. 01 8848200
UCD and Trinity both have access programmes that may be applicable to you, and I'm sure other colleges and universities have the same.

LegacyUser

I have a part time job, currently just started 5th year so I can only work Saturdays, but I've saved up a fair bit. I cant live with my dad because his house has no fire escapes and it's above a restaurant, unsafe for anyone to live there.

I was looking at fostering because I moved out without her consent, so all she has to do is call someone and I'd have to go home. Today, she texted and told me she's taking me to court (I think it was to scare me, didn't say why, and also I'll be 18 by the time she has a court date). Even if I've moved out, she's still my legal guardian until I'm 18, so I can't get school stuff etc. signed by anyone else. (Again, she never consented to me leaving, I just grabbed my stuff and left). She's now threatening to sell/bin/I dont even know all the stuff I left behind, a lot of which I need for school. However, she won't let me into the house to collect it.

I think I'm going to contact social workers as suggested. Thanks for all your help!