Advice needed re - single parent benefits etc...

Miss.13

Hello there,

to spare you the sordid details, my boyfriend of 10 years and I have deceided we can no longer live together, and have split up. I did not ever want to marry, as I didn't think it would make any difference, either you want to be with the person or you don't. However I am now finding out that perhaps it might have been a good idea to get married, even if it was only for the childrens sake.

We have two small children (age 3 + 8) the 8 year old is disabled and on dla. I am their full time carer, and therefore cannot take a job.

I have put my name down on the local councils housing list, and with some local housing associations, I really want to get out of here so much!

Okay, so the question is this. What am I entitled to? We are still in the same house, and he claims all the benefits, I get nothing as of right now. I am waiting to hear from the citizens advice for a meeting to talk about what benefits I can get etc... but am I legally entitled to single parent benefits now, or do I have to wait till I get my own place? I would rather sort the money out now, as when I get my own place its going to be dificult enough sorting the house out without waiting for benefits etc... plus its demeaning asking him for money :mad: but I have to because he is claiming it all.

Thanks in advance,
Miss 13.

ps I do appologise if this post is not as succinent as you'd like, my head is all over the place plus I feel like crap. Bah!

Jowo_2

What benefits is he currently claiming in his sole name apart from Child Benefit?

Do you receive carers allowance? Is your ex in employment? My understanding of carers allowance is that it isn't paid to someone in full-time employment but is paid to the primary carer.

Are you renting or own your place, and is it joint or sole tenancy/ownership?

Do you have any savings?

mazza1985

Hiya!

If you 2 are no longer a couple your ex is actually breaking the law by claiming benefits for you! You can live together but still be seperated - this is actually quite a common occurence becaus of the recession.

Either you can put in a claim as a single person which will stop his claim as a couple, or the nicer way to do it is to tell him to cancel his claim.

Have you decided who is going to have the children live with them, for information sake i will assume it is you, but this advice will also apply to your ex partner if it is going to be him.

You can claim income support for yourself, child tax credits, and child benefit. On top oif this because your child is on DLA you can claim carers allowance IF they gets middle or higher rate care, but that might affect the benefits you get for them.

DX2

Do you actually live as seperate households or do you still live like a family unit?

For example do you still eat your meals together, do you still do his washing, do you shop together, do you still sleep together (as in the same bed)?

Kimitatsu

Miss.13 wrote: »

Hello there,

to spare you the sordid details, my boyfriend of 10 years and I have deceided we can no longer live together, and have split up. I did not ever want to marry, as I didn't think it would make any difference, either you want to be with the person or you don't. However I am now finding out that perhaps it might have been a good idea to get married, even if it was only for the childrens sake.

The only benefit of being married as far as the law is concerned is that you have rights of inheritence, if you get divorced you have the right to a proportion of the family home and your ex has parental rights automatically for the children.

We have two small children (age 3 + 8) the 8 year old is disabled and on dla. I am their full time carer, and therefore cannot take a job.

So do you own the house? Is it specially adapted for your child? If it is then there would be a case for you to stay in the house and for your ex to move out as it is the residence of the children.

I have put my name down on the local councils housing list, and with some local housing associations, I really want to get out of here so much!

Okay, so the question is this. What am I entitled to? We are still in the same house, and he claims all the benefits, I get nothing as of right now. I am waiting to hear from the citizens advice for a meeting to talk about what benefits I can get etc... but am I legally entitled to single parent benefits now, or do I have to wait till I get my own place?
You can make a claim as a single parent even if you are still in the same property but you will have a visit from a complionce officer to check that you have seperate living accomodation (do you have a spare room one of you can move into?). You will be able to claim Child benefit, child tax credits (with enhancements for a disabled child), DLA for your child, carers allowance, local housing allowance (if you are renting) and council tax benefit, as well as income support (you cannot work therefore will nto get carers allowance nor JSA as you are not available for work). You can check on www.entitledto.co.uk for specific amounts.

I would rather sort the money out now, as when I get my own place its going to be dificult enough sorting the house out without waiting for benefits etc... plus its demeaning asking him for money :mad: but I have to because he is claiming it all.

You should have been claiming the Child Benefit and carers allowance all along being honest, the child tax credits would have been a joint claim. You need to contact all of the agencies and make a new claim - child benefit can take a minimum of 8 weeks if he is compliant so be prepared for that, but youcan claim tax credits without being in reciept of child benefit.

Thanks in advance,
Miss 13.

ps I do appologise if this post is not as succinent as you'd like, my head is all over the place plus I feel like crap. Bah!

As has been said he should not be claiming benefits for you if you are no longer living together as man and wife, you have to inform the tax credits office within one month of a change.

HTH - take care of yourselves.

property.advert

There was a documentary on tv which showed a couple who split up but lived in the same house and who were accepted as being separate for benefits purposes but they did have a home visit. They did not have to move.

Kimitatsu

I think though that the OP does want to move! She does not want to live with her ex

astonsmummy

OP contact Shelter regarding your home situation, they are excellent with housing advice.