What benefits can I claim?

skipy

My husband and I have agreed to seperate. Things are currently quite amicable and he has agreed to continue paying the mortgage and that I can live in the 'marital home' until our children are grown up (oldest is only 9yrs old). The mortgage and the house are in his name only. I currently don't work as I am a stay at home mum and I also have a disabled child (who gets DLA higher rate care and mobility and I get carers allowance). I am attending a course at college 2 evenings a week as I was planning to go to uni next year to train as a nurse but don't know if I can do this now but I'd still like to finish my current course which will end next June. Can anyone give me an idea where to start with regards to benefits? I don't even claim tax credits so not sure what to apply for first. Also, my hubby said him paying the mortgage (1k per month) will be more than I would get in child maintenance so he is not planning to give me any extra cash (except for birthdays, xmas and any other large expenses). He also wants to stay in the spare room when he comes to visit the kids as he is going to be moving some distance away (he has got a new job) and says he cant afford to pay the mortgage, rent for himself and somewere else to stay when he comes to see the kids. This in itself doesn't bother me as I want the kids to see their dad as often as possible cos it's going to be very hard on them. I'm just not sure were I stand on all of this and what help I can expect financially. Can anyone give me their advice please?

karenx

I think you may need to see a lawyer with regards to the house.
What will happen with the children when your at college at night?
Put a claim in for child tax credits and also income support as a lone parent. And council tax benefit

skipy

I was hoping to avoid the lawyer thing (for now anyway). My mum was going to look after the kids for me while I was at college. Where do I go to claim these benefits, can you do it online or do I need to go into an office? Sorry for all the questions but I just don't have a clue were to start.

karenx wrote: »

I think you may need to see a lawyer with regards to the house.
What will happen with the children when your at college at night?
Put a claim in for child tax credits and also income support as a lone parent. And council tax benefit

karenx

Google tax credits and call up to make the claim. They will send you out a form to post back.
Same with income support, they will go through everything on the phone then you need to go in to sign the forms.

It may be best to even speak to a lawyer just now and find out where you would stand should your ex partner maybe want to sell the house etc in the future. He probably hasnt thought things through properly yet, can he really afford to keep paying the mortgage on a house he doesnt live in, plus rent for another house for him and all the bills that go with it. And any other things he may need money for inc socialising. He may find that he wants to sell the house to free up some money! So you will need to know where you stand.

skipy

Thanks karenx, what you say makes a lot of sense and thanks for giving me your time and pointing me in the right direction I really appreciate it:)

karenx wrote: »

Google tax credits and call up to make the claim. They will send you out a form to post back.
Same with income support, they will go through everything on the phone then you need to go in to sign the forms.

It may be best to even speak to a lawyer just now and find out where you would stand should your ex partner maybe want to sell the house etc in the future. He probably hasnt thought things through properly yet, can he really afford to keep paying the mortgage on a house he doesnt live in, plus rent for another house for him and all the bills that go with it. And any other things he may need money for inc socialising. He may find that he wants to sell the house to free up some money! So you will need to know where you stand.

karenx

Just realised you get carers allowance, you may not get income support although Im sure you do! When you call up they will be able to tell you! Also make sure you tell tax credits one of your children gets DLA as there is an extra premium for this!

Indie_Kid

If you receive carers allowance plus income support, they take the amount of carers allowance off income support and give you a carers premium.

If you receive maintenance for the children, it's disregarded in full for benefits. If you're the only adult living in the house, you can also get a 25% single person council tax discount.