Applying for income support after separation... advice?

missk9

Hi there helpers.

I have recently got off the phone from the job centre on my first phonecall to claim Income Support.

My husband and I separated a month ago and he is staying at his mums.
We have 2 young kids together and I will now have to support myself and sort out the mortgage - I do not currently work.

On the phone they said how much maintenance are you receiving and I said this hasnt been set up yet as my ex is planning to cover my bills and stuff this month until I have the benenfit money coming in.

He said that this effectively is a maintenance payment, so when I go for my interview on monday and tell them in detail how much he has given me this month it will sound like a lot as with mortgage and bills it comes to about 1200.

Will this effect my claim? It seems like it would be easier if he has just left me in the lurch but he is a good man and is just keeping me and kids going until I can do it alone in a month hopefully. Then he is planning to find his own place.

Bit new to all this... never applied for or received benefits.

Indie_Kid

Child maintenance doesn't affect benefits. Although I have no idea what happens if it's help for bills.

missk9

sh1305 wrote: »

Child maintenance doesn't affect benefits. Although I have no idea what happens if it's help for bills.

Thanks for the reply... just to confirm to others reading.. the help for bills is only for this month alone as it was pay day today and i have no benefits set up yet and have only just set up my individual bank account this week and are still waiting for the cards etc

kizzy2010

if the bills and mortgage are in his name and he has not actually given you any money but paid it direct to whoever the bills get paid to, then technically it shouldnt affect any claim as it is not income. just make it clear when you go to your interview that he is not giving you any money from now on, other than that of child maintenance when this is set up. as far as i know child maintenance isnt taken into account for either income support or housing benefit. and i dont think the housing benefit count the child benefit as income either.
having said all that, i'm not sure if housing benefit cover mortgages, dont quote me on that though i could be wrong.
my brother and her partner live in the house that her and her ex had together. they took over the mortgage, have 2 kids and really struggle as they cant get any help.

bubba1585

If he can write a letter to give a breakdown of what he pays and the amounts and also makes it clear that this is not a permanant arrangement then that would help. The claim will go to a decision maker for them to decide whether they can allow it, (usually they do), they'll probably set a review when you will have to give them updates. No 2 cases are ever the same so get as much info on the bill payments as you can, also if any part of the £1200 is for child maintenance then that is fully disregarded.