newly single mum student

curlytoast

Hi
i have just finished my first year at uni, and have been suppported by my now ex partner during this time.
We have split up and im looking to move out. But i have 2 years left at uni and am worried if i can afford to do it without the support of my ex partner.
I know i would be entitled to housing benefit etc, so does this roughly work out i would be the same off financially as a single parent on income support? Im also worried about that because i have been on income support before as a single mum for a few months and could not pay all my bills, although when i worked as a singe mum was better off.

Because me and my ex partner are amicable and because of his shifts at work (hardly ever see him) it would be possible for me to stay in the house with him if i had to, if i couldnt afford to live as single mum student.Which means he would pay most of the bills etc. The mortgage is in his name btw, he had it long before he met me hence why i would be the one moving.

Arrrggghh dunno what to so for the best as i dont want to give up uni! Thanks for replies in advance!

metalgal

Make an appointment with someone in student services at your uni they will be able to advise you. Also if you move out you will no longer be classed a couple so his income will not be taken into consideration for your loans and grants which mean you should get the maximum, and you should start a new single claim to tax credits.

Fourcandles_3

I'm not qualified to advise, but I am doing an access course this year towards Uni next.

I currently get housing benefit, income support, child benefit, child tax credit etc although when marrital home is sold in theory I could have to pay some back if I recieve lump sum.

Next year at Uni (unless Government change things) I recieve only child benefit and have to pay everything else from my student income. Be that bursary (sort of a grant) and or loan. My course has a bursary and having spoken to a lady currently studying she is actually better off financially. Not by much but alteast she's not worse off.

Don't be put off, go find out, you are working towards your future remember.

Good luck

SUPERMCNATURAL

i agree with metalgal the best way to go would be to first speak to student services, im sure they will have been thro this with other students before they will be able to guide and support you. good luck i hope you get everything sorted, and good luck with your degree (stick with it, will be worth it in the end) :T

Oldernotwiser

If your split is as amicable as you say, I'd seriously think about staying put. It could leave you with more energy to study and upset your children less. It wouldn't suit everyone but it's certainly worth considering.

curlytoast

Thanks for your responses everyone. Must start cracking on with what ever decision i make, although i am avoiding it!

Morgan_Ree

curlytoast wrote: »

Hi
i have just finished my first year at uni, and have been suppported by my now ex partner during this time.
We have split up and im looking to move out. But i have 2 years left at uni and am worried if i can afford to do it without the support of my ex partner.
I know i would be entitled to housing benefit etc, so does this roughly work out i would be the same off financially as a single parent on income support? Im also worried about that because i have been on income support before as a single mum for a few months and could not pay all my bills, although when i worked as a singe mum was better off.

Because me and my ex partner are amicable and because of his shifts at work (hardly ever see him) it would be possible for me to stay in the house with him if i had to, if i couldnt afford to live as single mum student.Which means he would pay most of the bills etc. The mortgage is in his name btw, he had it long before he met me hence why i would be the one moving.

Arrrggghh dunno what to so for the best as i dont want to give up uni! Thanks for replies in advance!

I wouldn't bank on that.
When I was a single parent student I applied for LHA and was turned down.

From what I know it varies from council to council.

Oldernotwiser

Morgan_Ree wrote: »

I wouldn't bank on that.
When I was a single parent student I applied for LHA and was turned down.

From what I know it varies from council to council.

Weren't you on an NHS funded course? If so (sorry if I've got you muddled with someone else) your funding would have been higher than that of someone on a Student Loan, which would explain the difference.

HeatherH

Definitely research this as at the moment I've just finished my 2nd year on a BSc (hons) degree, I'm a single parent and I receive....

Child Tax Credits
Child Benefit
Housing Benefit
Maintenance Loan
Special Support Grant
and another grant I can't remember the name of.

Even though I will have to pay the Maintenance loan back, I'm still currently a lot better off than being just on benefits (can't do it, have to be doing something!)

Goodluck finding out x

squif33

Hiya, just to reiterate what HeatherH says above, I am also a single parent i'm in my third year at uni and I get approximately £4700 maintainance loan (this has to be paid back) and around £4000 in grants that don't have to be paid back. I also get a bursery from my university and have the option of recievign a childcare grant which covers 80% of childcare costs. On top of this I get housing benefit, child tax credit and child benefit.

Having claimed income support in the past for a few months I can tell you that the student income provides quite a bit more than income support so try not to worry about not being able to support yourself.

Good luck with your studies

squif33

P.S as you are a single parent you can also claim income support during the summer break