new to all this!

LOZZY1

hello,

ive recently seperated with my husband. i have been left in the house (mortgaged) with our two children (11month and 3 years). i have no income (housewife) and get ctc and cb only.

please, please could someone tell me everyting i can get to help me. i am really going to struggle as i have a £500pm mortgage (cant sell as neg eq) all the bills and a mountain of unsec debt. i have read a few sites and i know i will have to claim income support. and hoping to get help with interest on mortgage.

worried about mortgage as fixed at 7% with halifax and dwp stndard rate is 6% leaving me a shortfall of approx 50-60per month. also something about a waiting period too. so what exactly am i supposed to do for the however many weeks it takes??

thanks in advance, i am in a real mess

alwaysonthego_2

You will get;

income support
child tax credits
child benefit
help with the interest on your mortgage after 13 weeks.
council tax benefit.
Full amount of child maintainance


You need to prioritise your debts so make sure you pay your mortgage and utility bills. Any of your unsecured debt you could make an token offer of £1 per month.

You need to go to your local CAB, but you could inform your mortgage provider of the situation and ask for a payment holiday or change to an interest only mortgage.

LOZZY1

but what am i supposed to do for the 13 weeks??? i dont understand. will halifax help/ be understanding?? they have already refused me a payment holiday due to lack of equity.

Caz3121

Is it a joint mortgage? your husband is equaly liable for payment. He should also be paying you 20% of his net salary as maintenance

bunny999

contact the csa

Oldernotwiser

LOZZY1 wrote: »

but what am i supposed to do for the 13 weeks??? i dont understand. will halifax help/ be understanding?? they have already refused me a payment holiday due to lack of equity.

You need to contact your lender to switch to an interest only mortgage (if you're not on that already and to discuss what options are open to you.

As has previously been said, your husband is equally responsible for the mortgage and you also need to budget for his maintenance payments for the children.

Have you contacted tax credits yet to switch your joint claim to a single claim?

mrcow

Also - get your CV sorted out and start looking for work ASAP.

LOZZY1

thank guys i have been on csa website so will ring tomorrow. also asked ex to pay half mortgage but hes not replied yet. havent contacted tax credit yet, will tomorrow. ive sort of buried my head in the sand this week hopeing it would all blow over and he would come back.

mr cow thanks but i have been on a few websites suggested by this site and due to the fact i am a homeowner who cannot sell due to the fact of neg eq (and also dont want to sell due to the 1000s of debt spent on it) i am actually better off not working. i know this will not be the case for everyone and under different circumstances i am sure i would be better of working 16 hours or so. but you cannot get help with mortgage when working only rent so whatever i earn would be cancelled out due to the fact i would get no housing benefit plus i would have to pay childcare as i have no support from family (they are all working themselves)

i know this is not the attutude to take but for the time being i need to ensure i do what is best for my children and i think moving house, banging them in childcare everyday and their dad leaving might be a bit to much all at once

AnxiousMum

LOZZY1 wrote: »

i am a homeowner who cannot sell due to the fact of neg eq (and also dont want to sell due to the 1000s of debt spent on it) i am actually better off not working. i know this will not be the case for everyone and under different circumstances i am sure i would be better of working 16 hours or so. but you cannot get help with mortgage when working only rent so whatever i earn would be cancelled out due to the fact i would get no housing benefit plus i would have to pay childcare as i have no support from family (they are all working themselves)

That's okay Lozzy, no need for you to go out and work, or go after your ex for child support payments to help pay for the children you created together, or ensure that he pays his share of the mortgage/bills run up in your names - I, along with millions of others, will show up at work tomorrow to ensure you get your freebies.

There are certain things that you are entitled to with regards to benefits - however, when you have recourse to hold those responsible who should be responsible, maybe your questions should also be 'how do I ensure that my ex pays appropriate child support and his share of the mortgage for a house that he holds an interest in'.......

Been there and done it myself with two young children at the time being a single mum and working.

mrcow

LOZZY1 wrote: »

i know this is not the attutude to take but for the time being i need to ensure i do what is best for my children and i think moving house, banging them in childcare everyday and their dad leaving might be a bit to much all at once

But you don't have to "bang" anyone into childcare. The children do have a Dad. He can look after them whilst you work. Just choose a job that fits around his hours.

I did it for years, with three children and two jobs. It's simple enough if you work hard enough and are prepared to put some thought into it.

It will give you a lot in the way of independence - which you need to start building. A life trying to live off the state isn't a positive start for anyone.

nannytone_2

so helping yourself is 'a bit too much' while asking the taxpayer to support you isnt?