Can I get any Benefits

Tcs

I feel i am in a very odd situation, i am married, my husband has bought a business in the USA, he hoped for a better life for us,but as we all no the credit crunch has taken that dream away, he currently is running at a loss so any financial support for our outgoings here are nil,I am self employed but my earnings have also taken a downturn. I currently live with my son whos at university , works part time, i am struggling to pay all the bills including mortgage. All forms seem to be if your married or single if i say married then its assumed your partner lives with you, not sure how to get past this hurdle, i rang tax credits to try to explain and was even told it would be better if we legally separated, surely this can't be right. Any advice would be great .

[Deleted User]

Tcs wrote: »

I feel i am in a very odd situation, i am married, my husband has bought a business in the USA, he hoped for a better life for us,but as we all no the credit crunch has taken that dream away, he currently is running at a loss so any financial support for our outgoings here are nil,I am self employed but my earnings have also taken a downturn. I currently live with my son whos at university , works part time, i am struggling to pay all the bills including mortgage. All forms seem to be if your married or single if i say married then its assumed your partner lives with you, not sure how to get past this hurdle, i rang tax credits to try to explain and was even told it would be better if we legally separated, surely this can't be right. Any advice would be great .

Fraid they probably are right,after all you are still married its just that your husband is working abroad(think armed forces/people who travel alot on business),so whilst you remain married thats how the tax people will treat you,If your sons at uni is there any reason why you shouldnt be working full time?If you are struggling to pay your mortgage it would be a good idea to speak to them now before it gets out of hand,in any event you wouldnt get help with mortgage for at least 9 months if at all

krisskross

As far as I can see the only benefit you could conceivably be entitled to is working tax credits. Unless of course you are sick or disabled. The office would need details of yours and your husband's income for the tax year ending April 2008.

If you are entitled to this then I guess you could also get some council tax benefit.

pukkamum

I know it sounds a bit harsh but if you are both self employed but not making any money then i think it's time for one or both of you to try and get a full time job instead. I really don't think it is fair to ask the government to support you because a business you run isn't making money.