Splitting from partner....

clb776

This is for a friend who has recently split from her partner, she is trying to come to terms with it all, and sort things out. Her partner worked full time, and she 20 hours a week, they were claiming tax credits and a small amount of housing benefit. She will continue working. We were looking on the Internet and for tax credits it says that if this is a temporary split to continue a joint claim? How does she know if it's temp as it's up to him, is this to avoid an overpayment or something else? Also how does she go about changing her housing benefit to a single claim when they have a joint tenancy? Will she need to inform the landlords? And what are the implications of jointly claiming tax credits when she is claiming other things as 'single'. And then for the same token what if they got back together in a few months? She is quite upset about it all, and doesn't really know what to do they got married in November and have a young baby girl.

lauzellen

Sorry to hear about your friend! She should phone tax credits and close the joint claim and open a single claim to avoid an over payment. If they did get back together she could close the single claim and re-open a joint claim.

With regards to the tennancy agreement etc can she not ask the landlord to take him off the tennancy agreement if he no longer resides there? She will need to let the council know that they are no longer a couple and he has left the residence - she may be asked to put something in writing - this will enable her to claim a 25% discount on the council tax and they will re-calculate her entitlement to housing benefit and council tax benefit based on just her income. I would not advise postponing this as it could put your friend into financial difficulties with paying the rent etc if she were to wait as I assume he is not contributing to the rent (correct me if i am wrong) now he has left.

clb776

No, he isn't contributing, but I assume he will give her some sort of maintenance, thanks for your response!