help - seperation

snow_queen · 8 November 2004 at 10:18PM

hi there

my husband and I seperated last night (he moved out) and we own this flat together (we have a mortgage) and we have a 1 year old daughter.

can anyone tell me what I can claim and when?

do I have to file for "seperation" thru a solicitor or anything?

i really dont know where to begin.

thanks in advance

BoardGuide comment - I removed the other thread with the same wording in it for ease of use

Spendless · 8 November 2004 at 10:39PM

Hi

Read your other thread. I would suggest going to the Benefits Agency to see what you're entitled to.

I notice you said you were self-employed - is it for at least 16 hours a week? if so you would probably be entitled to CTC and WTC.

If it is less than 16 i'm not sure :-/, but someone on here will help i'm sure

Council tax - you can get 25% off your bill if only you and your child lives there.

If I think of anything else will post back

snow_queen · 8 November 2004 at 10:52PM

hi Spendless

I do "pet sitting" where I basically get paid to look after peoples pets whilst they are away and I walk dogs in the week when people are at work etc so its borderline, sometimes over and sometimes under the 16 hours - not very helpful i guess. :-/

thnks

Fran · 9 November 2004 at 4:23AM

Hi snow_queen,

Have a look at these websites, they have some useful information:

divorce online

Venables - Lots of links to other websites on this one.

You could go to your local Citizens Advice Bureau to get information about your situation overall, they can advise on benefits, divorce and seperation, your house situation and any other issues that you may want to ask about.

Edinburghlass_2 · 9 November 2004 at 11:25AM

hi Spendless

I do "pet sitting" where I basically get paid to look after peoples pets whilst they are away and I walk dogs in the week when people are at work etc so its borderline, sometimes over and sometimes under the 16 hours - not very helpful i guess. :-/

thnks

As long as you would average out to be 16 hours a week over the year you should be alright.

snow_queen · 9 November 2004 at 12:03PM

thanks everyone - so would i be better or worse working 16 hours a week or more?

Spendless · 9 November 2004 at 12:12PM

I think if you work 16 hours a week or more you'll be entitled to CTC and WTC and you would also keep any manintaninance - however you would have to pay things like your mortgage and council tax (25% off for only 1 adult in house(.

On the other hand if you were to go on IS you would get your council tax paid and some ??? don't know if all mortgage paid but you wouldn't keep your maintainance - or only a small amount £5 i think has been mentioned tho i don't know.

You'd have to do the sums to see which way you were better off.

I think you're also entitled to milk tokens for your daughter but i don't know if this is only if you're on IS

Fran · 9 November 2004 at 5:07PM

thanks everyone - so would i be better or worse working 16 hours a week or more?

Your CAB can do a "better off calculation" which can compare the two situations for you and take everything into account. It's difficult to give general advice about this as all of your income/expenditure has to be looked at. Generally you'd expect to be better off by working the 16 hours and getting WTC/CTC, but as a single parent you can earn up to £20 per week without it affecting your Income Support. I'm not sure where you stand re the flat, for instance is he going to demand his share? CAB can look at all these things for you.

snow_queen · 9 November 2004 at 5:44PM

thanks Fran!
Im really confused - i went to the inland rev website and now Im not sure if im self employed or not! so have left a msg for the lady i work for. I have emailed and advised the council tax people and also the child benefit people. I missed out today on CAB as didnt realise they had set hours so will need to call them tomorrow. Ive only been self employed doing pet sitting for about 3-4 months and havnt contacted the tax office re this yet. Ive tried to do that today but need to find out if I am actually self employed or not - will i get in trouble for not telling them sooner?

Edinburghlass_2 · 10 November 2004 at 2:33AM

Snowqueen it sounds like the person you are "working" for is treating you as self employed so she doesn't have to pay your NI, any tax or holiday pay etc.

This is okay as you can then set yourself up as self employed, go to the tax office and sort out paying self employed NI. You could then take on other bits and pieces of work, perhaps a bit of cleaning to get yourself to working 16 hours a week to claim WTC. However, as Fran says you would need to check with CAB to find out what would be the best financially for you, taking into account child care.

One step at a time and you WILL get there.

snow_queen · 10 November 2004 at 7:12PM

thanks you all for your previous support re my marriage seperation

Today I went to the CAB and they gave me the number for DWP. I rang them and I have an interview not till 29th november, they are sending me the claim forms to complete in advance.

They then advised me to ring tax credit people. I rung them ND THEY ARE SENDING ME A NEW CLAIM PACK FOR SINGLE PARENT.

But i dont know which is best for me to claim? benefits ie income support etc or working tac credit?? Im told I can still maybe get council tax benefit along with working tax credit. but i dont know what is best for me. I dont want CSA taking hubby's money as we are still amicable he is going to pay the mortgage.

Im so confused and just dont know where to start when all these forms come.

help - seperation

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