Help & Advice need please - what can I claim.

Utopian_Dream

Hi all,

I'm a newbie here and have seen Martin on TV many times which brings me here to his website. I am in an awful dilemma and I don't know where to turn to for advice. I have no income, no job, I've just had a baby and my marriage is on the rocks and we are talking separation. I'm at my wits end. I have looked at the government website and it seems I am entitled to nothing absolutely nothing at all. Am so upset. Already we have been on a debt management plan with the CCCS for just over a year now. My husband is in full time employment, any surplus he has left over goes to them to pay outstanding debtors/creditors. I do not work. I have not worked for over 2years now due to claustrophobia/agrophobia and stress BUT I have not claimed anything in my life. Prior to me giving up work, I worked in Europe and paid my taxes & NI over there. Now I have my baby in intensive care in the neonatal ward at local hospital, he was three months premature, the stress of all this combined with no money etc has really taken effect on our relationship and I am the one who wants to throw in the towel. Without him I know I have nothing. We own our own house. So to cap it all off, I have not paid NI in this country (and I am white English born & bred thanks before I get anyone commenting on my legal status), I have never claimed anything in my life before, I am soon to be separated (although in my heart of hearts I hope not) and I have a baby to support who will soon be released home from hospital. Does anyone know what help if any, that I can get or am entitled to apart from child benefit. I might add that prior to my work situation I had a really good job earning a six-figure salary and I had savings but that was before this recession kicked in, savings are nil sinced I used them to survive. Any advice welcome. Thanks

Caz3121

you should be able to claim income support, child tax credits and maintenance from your husband

Utopian_Dream

Thanks Caz but how can I claim if I supposedly don't qualify to meet their criteria and how can he pay me anything at all when he only has about 200 quid per month left over for living expenses. (He has already said that no matter what happens he won't see me out of the house and he will carry on paying the mortgage). Am just really down and stressed out.

fresian_cow

What has led you to believe that you wouldn't be entitled to anything at all? Have you done a benefits calculator or contacted CAB?

cassieB57

why dont you meet the criteria? When did you return to GB from abroad? You can ask CCCS to review your debt plan if you separate.You may be able to get Employment and Support Allowance using contributions made in the EU I believe. You should already have claimed child benefit and child tax credits

karenx

So if he isnt going to see you out in the street and will keep paying the mortgage how will he afford somewhere to stay?

Utopian_Dream

Hi people and thanks for replying. What has led me to believe that I am entitled to nothing is reading the government website and benefits relating to contributions one has made and it seems we are not entitled to child tax credits cos my husband earns over the £45k threshold for help. I have just completed the forms for the baby for child benefit. I looked at council tax benefit and housing benefit and income support and well, it seems to me at least that I am not eligible because I don't fit into their qualifying brackets. Which does make me ask myself I must admit, 'how do all these asylum seekers and migrants seem to be able to claim anything and everything going'!

Utopian_Dream

That is still a point of discussion karenx.

Plans_all_plans

To be honest, you're having a stressful time at the moment and if the thinking of separating has only really happened since the baby, then surely you can work through it? I'd go to Relate if I were you.

AimeesMum_2

If you split with your partner then you are elegible for income support (this is irrelevant of your NI contributions), you would get your child benefit and tax credits. I am unsure how property effects these benefits but someone else should be able to tell you that.

If you are your husband work it out, then at £45,000 I am afraid that he does earn too much money for you to claim any other benefit. You should be able to get a small amount from tax credits just now but in April you will be over the threshold. £45,000k a year is a high income...have you checked to see if there is anything you can cut down on? Where is your husband going to get money from to move elsewhere if you have nothing left on a monthly basis?

AimeesMum_2

Which does make me ask myself I must admit, 'how do all these asylum seekers and migrants seem to be able to claim anything and everything going'!

Because they aren't bringing in £45k a year to the household