About to split from husband worried about money

nsimpson123

Hi, I wonder if you could help me, my husband has told me he is leaving me, we have two children aged 12 and 9 and I work part time, I am really worried how I am going to cope financially and realise I am going to have to claim some benefits - I have never claimed anything in my life before - can anyone tell me who I need to contact firstly and how long it is likely before I would start to receive any benefits, I am really worried I'll run out of money to feed the kids etc.
I would be really grateful for any advise.

p.s I do no he will have to give me maintenance but again not sure how much x

slummymummyof3

Don't know about the benefits side of things - sorry! I am sure someone who has some knowledge of this side of things will be along shortly.

What outgoings do you have? Mortgage? Rent? Have you discussed what will happen with regards to this with your OH?

Oldernotwiser

If you don't claim tax credits at the moment you need to put in a claim if you work at least 16 hours a week.

nsimpson123

Hi, yes I work 30 hours, I don't claim any tax credits at the moment, do I need to wait till he leaves?? can I make an enquiry now - he won't tell me exactly when he's going but I suspect he'll just disappear sometime soon - I'm so worried I feel sick all the time

We do have a mortgage and a DMP and I have told him that he will have to pay at least half of each of these - as was advised by a solicitor a while ago - as well as maintenance for the children but it's all so scary x

January20

Have a look at this. Follow the link to "entitledto.co.uk". I hope it helps.

http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

It's all so scary now but you will get through it and you will get stronger because of it.

esmf73

Huge hugs to you in what must be a very difficult time. Hugs to your kids too xxx

kindofagilr

Why dont you claim tax credits at the minute? I thought everyone was entitled to £10 a week after baby is one if their earnings are less than 60k?

(((hugs))) to you and the children xxx

RAS

Hi

Go to www.entitledto.com.

With respect to money, your ex needs to pay you 20 percent of his net income as maintenance but you will claim for the interest on the mortgage through your benefits.

Do you have any joint accounts with your OH? if so he can run up huge debts on these and leave you with the mess. You must open a new bank account in your own name immeidately (a basic one will do) get your salary paid in there immeidately and start moving across any DDs.

if the joint account is in the black, keep a close eye but think about telling the bank now that all future debits apart from Dds need to have both signatories.

LJM

hi on top of the maintanance he will have to give you you will or should be entitled to child tax credit/working tax credit and maybe some towards your rent and council tax, sorry you didnt say if you rented or owned if you own im sure he would still have to pay some of this also

Money_maker

nsimpson123 wrote: »

he won't tell me exactly when he's going but I suspect he'll just disappear sometime soon

This all sounds as though he's not going to be very helpful to you. Why would he just vanish? Is he likely to take items with him that belong to you/ you need? Do you perhaps need to sit down and consider taking some steps to protect your children and your assets.

Good luck and hugs x

C_Mababejive

Contact the CSA...also,to share the responsibility,ask the children which one will be going with dad when he leaves. He wasnt thinking of dumping on you was he?