I want to leave. What happens to my benefits? DESPERATELY SEEKING ANSWERS

anicemaiden

I live with my husband in a privately rented house, with my 16yo son (from prev marriage) and my 20yo son (from prev marriage) who is now living away at university - but home in the holidays.

Both myself and my husband are registered disabled and we receive the benefits available to us. (Thankfully)

If I chose to leave the marital home, what will happen to my benefits?
Between us we get child tax credits, family tax credits, which go into his bank account.
I get DLA and Incapacity Benefit as well as a small amount of Child Benefit (at the moment) and an even smaller amount of CSA contribution.
Because of our situation we are very lucky to recieve help with housing costs and council tax.

I am sorry to say that neither of us are able to work under the circumstances. My children are the typically lazy and bloodsucking leeches.
I won't go into the why's and wherefore's of why I want to leave this mess, but I do.

I would have done it by now if I wasn't so worried about what happens to my Benefit and any money that I should be getting that is going into my husbands account.

I need to know that I will be able to survive financially, by myself. Will I be worse off or will I actually gain financially.

I don't want you thinking I am a complete callous cow...There are other things that have gotten in the way of making a decision, apart from the financial worry. I have two cats that are very ancient now and I desperately love and will need to be with me. An elderly disabled mother that I need to care for (No I don't get carers allowance due to IB).

I feel ripped apart at times because I want to leave but feel I am tied here for financial reasons.
What can I expect?
How much can I expect to have to live on - if anything, as a single person?
BTW, my children will be living with their stepfather, at least the younger one will be. I am not sure about the older one as he is now renting a house near his University, come September.

Thanks for reading. I hope I have given enough info for some answers.
I have been worrying for years now.

Jowo_2

Benefits are means tested. They move with the person and take into account the changes in their circumstances. If the children aren't going with you, then you won't get the child benefit or child tax credit as these tend to remain where they reside or get split if physical custody is shared.

Book an appointment with the Citizens Advice Bureau to go over your entitlements and housing options. Run your new single household's entitlements through the Entitled To (turn to us) benefit calculator. The LHA direct website will indicate the MAXIMUM rate of LHA for a 1 bed property in the area you want to move to but I understand there was a change in the 22 June emergency budget so that in the future, a disabled person who needs a live in carer can have a 2nd bedroom. An organisation like DIAL will know how this works.

Many local councils operate rental deposit guarantee schemes if a tenant has a low income and can't afford the deposit. See their website for info.

Speak to Shelter about your housing options. Their website has a section on relationship breakdown. Consider applying to local housing associations and the council for accommodation. Are you a joint tenant on the contract where you live?

Most landlords will not accept pets. Can your mother take the cats? That way you get to see them regularly but it doesn't affect your property search.

Most landlords will not accept LHA tenants. Can you offer a guarantor as that's sometimes a condition of those who do?

In an earlier post, you mentioned you were 3k in debt and this had gone to a debt collector. Is this sorted out or did you end up with a CCJ? Otherwise post the details on the debt free wanabee board or raise this with CAB.

anicemaiden

Thank you for your help
I am sorry not to have replied earlier.
I do appreciate all the info you have given me and will get some more info from the CAB.
I am still in debt - I can't afford to pay anything at the moment.
My husband gets the tax credits etc paid into his account.
I get the mimimum from csa payments and child benefit now.
That won't be for much longer either.

Thanks again. I will have a look at the other board you mention.
Hugs
xxx