HELP! Family in crisis :-(

arttochoke

....................

fto

First check out this page http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

Adereterial

Do you not get Tax credits & Child Benefit?

If not, you need to look into that ASAP - Child benefit for two children would be around £120 a month, with tax credits on top.

lemontree

Don't give up, there are lots of people on here who can advise you!
Good Luck.

zagfles

Adereterial wrote: »

Do you not get Tax credits & Child Benefit?

If not, you need to look into that ASAP - Child benefit for two children would be around £120 a month, with tax credits on top.

Yes - if the mother is still claiming these you need to get her to relinquish the claim and claim yourselves. If she refuses, then report her for benefit fraud, the kids are no longer living with her so she's not entitled, and if she hasn't told them she is committing fraud.

Your capital, whether tied up in a bus or not, won't make any difference for child benefit and tax credits.

whitewing

The bus sounds lovely. (Can't afford it myself). Where is it (not geographically - in your garden?) I don't know the legalities but wonder if you could get a lodger in it? I doubt it would come under rent a room scheme but maybe check it out.

Agree about tax credits/child benefit.

Agree also about not giving up. You both can do this.

midnight_express

You can claim child benefit, working tax credits and child tax credits. Could you sell the bike and/or car ? There are lots of ideas on cutting out goings on the old style board.

Charityworker

Could the bus be let out to people for holidays? I've seen camper van holidays listed on eBay so it's a similar thing.

epitome

Some self employed people can get ESA/JSA conts as far as I know it is limited to self employed people who are registered directors of a company.... Registered with Companies House.
Hopefully someone else can confirm what exactly.

If he claims ESA conts only and he is refused because he has no entitlement due to being self employed (which is very likely AFAIK) Then YES he would be better off if you both separated. If you separated he could claim ESA Income Based and get his rent paid and his council tax paid.

Again I don't know all the rules on separation but a question is asked "is the separation temporary?" If the separation (at this time) is seen to be permanent say "no" to that question. If he says "yes" or "don't know" to that question it may affect his entitlement. Hopefully someone else may know the full details (on temporary seperation) here also, but I doubt it..

You may be able to stay together and get help for Housing Benefit & Council Tax Benefit as a household on a low income (after outgoings) you will need to ask your local council about that.

You should also be checking Child Benefit & Child Tax Credits for all the children you have.

Sell the motorbike.
Change both phones to PAYG and get rid all together if there is a landline.
Auction the bus - though you might lose a lot. on Ebay or through a commercial motorhome auctioneers, the bus sounds like a money pit, I would get rid, sometimes it's better to take a loss than have a tyre around your neck for years.

Charityworker

Also contact the CSA about the mother paying up. Because it's unusual circumstances they will probably give you a home visit then you can explain everything going on. My ex is unemployed but they still make him pay the csa. Even though it is only £6.30 a week for 2 children.

epitome

Charityworker wrote: »

Also contact the CSA about the mother paying up. Because it's unusual circumstances they will probably give you a home visit then you can explain everything going on. My ex is unemployed but they still make him pay the csa. Even though it is only £6.30 a week for 2 children.

Child Maintenance Options 0800 988 0988 ......8am-8pm