Benefits and a 'temporary' drop in income

okra

We usually receive a certain amount of money each month from the CSA for the care of my eldest child. We're not normally entitled to receive any benefits (ie housing benefit or council tax benefit)

My ex-partner stopped paying maintenance in December and we're struggling to make ends meet. When I put our current income (ie minus the maintenance because we're not receiving it) into entitledto.com it says that we're entitled to some council tax benefit and housing benefit.

My question is, are we entitled even though the loss of income is temporary? It should (users of the csa may laugh) be sorted out by April and we will them receive payments again plus hopefully our arrears. Is is possible to claim for a short time to tide us over like this, or are benefits meant to be for more long-term situations? I'm a bit clueless

MJMum

Errr, isn't this precisely what the CSA is for ie collecting the maintenance?

mumsicle_2

Maybe not due to the fact that you will/might get the money from the CSA albeit later than expected. I might be wrong though.

okra

That's what I thought. We will undoubtedly get the arrears eventually, albeit at £5 a month for the next eon or two.

Scarlett1

okra I wouldnt rely on your money being sorted by April, I have been waiting since last march just to get £5 per week off my ex and I still havnt got it, your best bet would be to get some HB forms sent out to you and fill them in and send them straight back

okra

Scarlett1 wrote:

okra I wouldnt rely on your money being sorted by April, I have been waiting since last march just to get £5 per week off my ex and I still havnt got it, your best bet would be to get some HB forms sent out to you and fill them in and send them straight back

Would we be entitled, though? We will get the money eventually, even if it takes months...

I know it takes time. He's just spent 6 years paying off the last lot of arrears he accrued lol