Help Please ...

cazH_4

Hello

After a while of being very unhappy in my marriage i have decided that after xmas i will be leaving my husband.
I have just finished Uni and am currently searching for a job, so in the meantime will have to claim Income Support for myself and 7 year old Daughter.

I am looking to move into private rented property, and have found a few locally that are ideally suited to myself.

My question is, does anyone know how long it would take for a benefit claim to be processed and also the same for payments of local housing allowance?

Thanks in advance.

Happy_Girl_2

JSA - I applied on 19/11 and got my first payment 5/12!

HB - I've been told by my local council applications are taking approx 3 weeks to process, but I don't know how long after that they make first payment. FWIW I haven't received any HB money yet!

Dooood

Hi Caz

I suggest you speak to your local council regarding their own targets.

I have a very negative experience of Income Support / HB applications - it took my local council 4 and a half months to process my claim!

I was already unemployed and actively seeking work on JSA when the Jobcentre found out by chance that I was a single dad in receipt of Child Ben / Child Tax Credits - one prolonged 'signing-on' session was making me late for picking my youngest up from primary school. From then on, my Jobcentre continually advised me to switch from JSA to Income Support - I couldn't see the point - I was still looking for work and the money was the same.

I eventually agreed and it proved to be a huge financial disaster for me.
My JSA / CTB / HB stopped on March 16th and Income Support / CTB / HB commenced very end of July and originally backdated to end of June!
Approx £2000 worth of rent / bills all went on credit card!!
I was livid with the whole process it was totally unneccessary for me.
I firmly believe my switch only benefitted the Jobcentre as I was no longer listed as unemployed.

I trust you'll not have to endure that fiasco.

You may have implications regarding the former marital home though - in particular, any assets you have within. If you had your own house / share of the house then 'your money' may exceed the savings allowed to qualify for IS / HB......???..... I could be wrong. You may also be advised or expected to remain in the family home - with your husband being forced leave by the courts - Legal Aid Lawyer for that one.

Above everything else, I'm sorry to hear that you feel that way about your marriage - I wouldn't wish a divorce / separation on anyone - especially with kids involved but..... I would never encourage anyone to tolerate a love-less / meaningless relationship.

Good luck anyway!!

cazH_4

Thanks for the replies.

I currently live in a council property, and myself and husband are joint tenants. I have chosen to leave purely because when the time comes, he will kick up a stink about him leaving and will prob cause me no end of hassle.

Ill seek advice i think, before i start looking into renting elsewhere, and see what they say!

Thanks

Conor_3

Don't forget that a private landlord or letting agency is going to want a bond (usually equivalent to a month rent) and months rent up front. In addition to that, all letting agencies do credit reference checks and many don't accept unemployed.