just seperated & new to benefits please help

SuziQ

Caz3121 wrote: »

Are you on good terms with your ex? has he said that he will continue to pay the mortgage in addition to child support? I think legally he only needs to pay child support and from that (and other income) you would be expected to pay the mortgage.
If you go on to IS you would be entitled to help with your mortgage interest payments after 13 weeks.
You would only qualify for IS if your youngest was under 12.

Caz is correct-he has no legal requirement to pay your mortgage-most men quickly get 'up to speed' with what they have to do and I am sure he would very quickly realise this if things turn sour-as they so often do. At least with the mortgage being in your sole name,you will get help with all the mortgage interest after 14 weeks-people like me with joint mortgages only get half. You don't have to involve the CSA anymore-the 'Options' people will explain it all to you.As someone who went trough what you are doing now last year I have to say it isn't easy money-wise. If there is any way you can get employment jump at it.Hopefully if you don't have debt it will be much easier-plus come over on the grocery challenge threads etc so that you can make every penny stretch as far as it will go! If you can keep things amicable it pays dividennds both for you as parents but the kids will benefit so much from that. Hope you get it all sorted.

ETS-forgot to say,just because the CSA say he should pay a certain amount that doesn't mean he will! Most men baulk when they realise they now have to fund their own place to live etc. Many will give what THEY feel is fair until forced to do otherwise-plus if you do go down the CSA route it can take ages and most men stop paying whilst the assessments are taking place. My first husband has never paid a penny in 12 years and the CSA gave up. My second has no income and I think the CSA are slowly giving up with him too......sorry to be the harbinger of bad news but you are much better off knowing the worst. If it turns out better then that is a bonus.

dizzyblonde09

bestpud wrote: »

This board is littered with people trying their best to obtain as much income as possible from the state, and sometimes it is difficult to tell if someone is genuinely seeking advice or looking for ways to commit fraud.

I wasn't aware I was being unfriendly tbh, and I did take the trouble to explain where I was coming from.

But anyway, welcome to mse!

I understand that that is the case for some people and I assure you that I am not trying to defraud anyone.

Maybe I was ultra sensitive to your post, this is all new to me and I am literally still spinning. You being in the same boat will understand how raw it all is still.

The real reason Im trying to find the correct figures so quick is that he's being reasonable for the moment but I fear that he wont always be and he has the kind of job where he can beggar off and not pay his way if he feels he's being pushed. IYSWIM?

I hope this claifies that im not a fraudster and that Im genuinely trying to do my best in what you know is a bleeding awful situation

ANyway thanks for the welcome

dizzyblonde09

Thanks Caz & SuziQ

Things are amicable-ish for the moment but he's like a spooked horse ready to run at any moment so I'm trying to show I'm taking every course possible so hes not paying 'over the odds'' in his eyes :rolleyes:

I have found out I cant claim IS now, my youngest is nearly 12 so it will be JSa? But if I can only keep 20 of it then it wipes out all maint payments of 90 pw. So I dont think I will claim that. JUst have to get out there and see what work I can get. I'e done everyhing from running my own business to cleaning so I'm sure I'll find something.

Thanks for the advice - especially being a harbinger . I need to know the facts.

bestpud

dizzyblonde09 wrote: »

You being in the same boat will understand how raw it all is still.

Lol, tell me about it! I feel as tough I've been put through a mangle (several times over!)

If it helps at all to know this: I have received CTC and IS payments today though and I only claimed the CTC last wednesday and IS on Thursday, so that isn't bad going! It's a big relief too.

IS rang yesterday with a list of queries and, once I'd answered them all, said that was all fine and they would be able to process it now, but I didn't expect a giro in the post today!

You will be able to claim IS until your youngest child is 12 but after that I think it will be JSA, but it is the same amount of money, as far as I am aware.