help not sure what I can claim for

honeybloom

can someone help ?
me and my husband are splitting up and I have been offered a house with a housing association which I would like to take,
we have 2 small children and my husband has agreed to stay in our current home and pay the mortgage and bills,
just wondered what am I entitled to living in the new house with 2 small children I dont work but my husband works earning £850 a month,also how does child maintenance payments work and how much would he have to pay me and how ?
we only have 1 bank account in my name and all his earings goes into my account so would this need to be changed

suelees1

Income Support of 64.30 pw for you but this depends on any other income or capital you might have. Same goes for housing and council tax benefit. You'd get the full amount if you have no other income or you have capital less than £6K but not more than £16K.

You'll also get child tax credits anc child benefit for the children. You must let the tax credit office know of your change of circumstances and make a single claim.

Child maintenance is a different issue and not one I really know about. I do know only £20 of this is disregarded if you are on Income Support

You will eventually be expected to realise your financial interest in the property otherwise it will be considered as capital (if there's equity in it of course)

You would definitely need your own bank or Post Office account.

karenx

Yes first you would need to change your bank account. Then cancel your joint tax credits claim and then claim as a single person. Then you need to apply for income support. With income support you can only keep £20 per week of maintenance, anything above £20 will be taken from your IS.
You can also apply for help with your rent.
If you do get a job you will be allowed to keep more than £20 of maintenance and if working more than 16 hours you will get working tax credit and help with childcare costs. So you could start looking into a part time job as you will be alot better off!

Vader123

If you are now a single parent you need to goto the Social and claim all associated benefits. This should be housing benefit, Income Support and Council Tax benefits.

For the maintenance, you are best having a chat with the CSA. They will be able to advice on the proper amounts, even you decide to come to a informal arrangement its best to know what his contribution should be and how to formalise it if you go down this route.

His contribution to the upkeep of his children will effect your benefits.

Looking back on your posts you have been on the waiting list for 3 years as a "we" (http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=28668459) has this changed?


Vader

honeybloom

yes the we has now changed we have decided to go our seperate ways
also we are in the process of selling our home its not up for sale yet but soon will be and my hubby will be renting a flat nearby,doubt there will be any equity in the home but will any of this affect anything
also not sure if I can change bank accounts as we both have a bad credit rating due to debts from a business

suelees1

You'll really need to open a basic bank account or a PO account so your benefits and tax credits can be paid into this. It will make it very messy if you keep the joint account.

Any equity in the home will be classed as capital (split 50/50). The capital rules are that the lower limit is £6k and the upper £16K. For every £250 or part thereof between these amounts you lose £1 pw Income Support. anthing over £16K bars you from means tested benefits

honeybloom

well the account is in my name and his pay goes into that does that need to change as its not a joint account
the house is a shared ownership so its only a share of £21,000 we need to sell

karenx

Yes you need your own account, or tell your partner to get a new one and his wages paid there

honeybloom

also one more question my husband has agreed to pay me £30 a week in child maintenance cash in hand is this right

suelees1

You have to declare it but they'll ignore £20 of this.

Have a look at this as well

http://www.cmoptions.org/en/maintenance/changes.asp

karenx

honeybloom wrote: »

also one more question my husband has agreed to pay me £30 a week in child maintenance cash in hand is this right

Tell income support when you apply for it and they will deduct £10 from it, so in effect you are getting the full £30 maintenance but your IS will drop by £10