Boyfriend has left his missus and son, where does she stand?

Brighton_belle

GSXRCarlos wrote: »

i presume that's all been sorted, but will ask the question

Yes, do, because the Landlords house and contents insurance could be made invalid/need to be altered by a business runnning there rather than just residential.

fannyanna

Brilliant post clearingout

RAS

Hi

Do they have ANY joint accounts - bank accounts, credit cards, saving etc.

if so she needs to sort them out urgently.

bank accounts - clear out the cash and then advise the bank in writing that all further debits need both signatures
Credit cards - all new debits needs both signature - write not just phone.
Savings - clear almost out and then all new debits need both signatures.

When does the rental agreement run out - he could give notice and end the tenancy for both of them.

Hanging_by_a_thread

This may well not apply in this case but before claiming any benefits she should be aware that if she has any savings this needs to be declared. There are certain levels of savings you are okay to have without it effecting any benefit claims.

Imp

RAS wrote: »

Hi

Do they have ANY joint accounts - bank accounts, credit cards, saving etc.

if so she needs to sort them out urgently.

bank accounts - clear out the cash and then advise the bank in writing that all further debits need both signatures
Credit cards - all new debits needs both signature - write not just phone.
Savings - clear almost out and then all new debits need both signatures.

When does the rental agreement run out - he could give notice and end the tenancy for both of them.

For the sanity of all concerned, and to keep some sort of moral basis, I wouldn't clear out the funds from joint accounts, just tell the bank that any money being taken out must have both signatures. Clearing the accounts may be legal, but it isn't necessarily right.

DUTR

clearingout wrote: »

It take a while to get sorted but here's what she needs to do:

1. Claim Income Support immediately - she can do an application on-line or over the phone. With the Income Support application she will be asked if she wants to apply for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit - the answer is yes.

2. Phone local council and get Council Tax changed to single person occupancy - that knocks a huge chunk off the bill immediately. Council Tax Benefit will cover the amount in full.

3. Phone Tax Credits and change the claim to a single person's claim - she will probably end up with more money than she was getting (although depends on what he earned).

4. Let the landlord know what's happening - hopefully he/she will be reasonable if they know that the rent will eventually come via Housing Benefit. She may need to move, however - is she in a two or three bed? There will be limit as to how much she can claim and she'll have to pay the rest out of her tax credits/income support. If she's in a three bed, moving to a 2 bed will help with that.

5. She will be entitled to Healthy Start Vouchers and free prescriptions for herself - an application form for this will come out with her tax credit claim.

6. Make an appointment at the local CAB after you've done all this to check everything - most are busy so she'll probably have to wait a while. Best to get the application in.

7. If ex won't pay maintenance (there are calculators on the CSA website as to how much he should pay as a minimum), she needs to open a claim at the CSA as soon as possible. They wont' backdate - so give him one chance to sort it out with a tight deadline and if he won't do it, CSA it is.

clearingout wrote: »

oh and after all that, then she can look for a job!

Good advice, will the friend be able to claim tax credits if not working?

RAS

Imp wrote: »

For the sanity of all concerned, and to keep some sort of moral basis, I wouldn't clear out the funds from joint accounts, just tell the bank that any money being taken out must have both signatures. Clearing the accounts may be legal, but it isn't necessarily right.

Normally I would agree but three things

1. She has to pay the rent at least until she can terminate the contract - it is a joint and several liability.
2. She has to feed herself and the child until the benefits come through - so she needs enough for the next 8-13 weeks.
3. What makes anyone think that once she locks the accounts, he will agree to sign anything? At the moment she cant even contact him.

clearingout

DUTR wrote: »

Good advice, will the friend be able to claim tax credits if not working?

yes, you can claim child tax credit if not working. The word 'tax' is a bit of a misnomer for the non-working single parent.

GSXRCarlos

Thank you all so much for your help

I'm not very good at the emotional stuff, but i can certainly help with her finances