Hate asking this but what help might I get?

BBF78

It is looking likely that I might become a single mother.
My husband and I own a house which neither of us would afford on our individual incomes.
I gave up my good career to raise my 2 year old, but have remained in work two days a week. My parents look after our son.
I know my husband will pay maintenance but this apparently will amount to about 280 per month. I am concerned that on my wages, I will not be able to afford to keep myself and my son without working more. I would work more, but having looked into it, it would mean I net about an extra 50 pounds per day. I am reluctant to put my son into nursery (no offence to anyone that does, but I look after other people's children all day as a teacher and I want to be with my son as much as I can afford to!)
What options might I have with regards to receiving help?
I don't want to stay in an abusive relationship simply because I'm scared I can't put food on the table and a roof over my boy's head.
Thanks very much for any kind help given

karenx

Do you own the house you both live in?
Is it possible for him to move out and with his maintenance you can still afford to live there?
You won't get much help in the way of housing costs while owning another property, unless it's for sale
You will also need to close down your joint tax credits claim and claim as a single one

pmlindyloo

Your eligibility for benefits will depend very much on what you agree to do about the house. Is it in joint names? Joint mortgage? Any equity?

If there is equity in the house and you agree to sell it and split the proceeds then any benefits will take into account the money that you have.

If there is no equity in the house (and you have no savings) then you will probably be entitled to some benefits.

As a single parent of a child under school age you could claim Income Support. This would then entitle you to full HB (based on a 2 bed property) and full CTB.

You would also be entitled to Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit.

Your child maintenance is not taken into account as regards benefits.

If you continue working and work at least 16 hours a week then you could not claim Income Support but you would be able to claim Working Tax Credit as well as Child Tax Credit and possibly HB and CTB.

Complicated isn't it?

If you know what is happening about the house then you can model different scenarios on the benefit calculator at www.turn2us.org.uk.

Or you can visit CAB armed with your paperwork, and predicted rent and council tax on a 2 bed place and ask them to do a 'better off calculation' using their Quick Benefit Check.

I am sure that others will be along to suggest other possibilities but information about your current house status and finances would be very useful.

BBF78

Thank you.
Current situation is joint owners on a house we bought in December. Equity in house was my husband's.
I own a one bed flat in my name which is in negative equity. I'd love to think we could live there but it's very very small.
Just got more complicated, huh?!
I don't claim any benefits at all.

SuziQ

I think as far as the Law stands, the equity in the house is no longer his as you are married and are joint owners of the house. Any equity from a sale would therefore be divided-that is what I have been told, I was stupid enough to put my second husband on my house deeds when I had over £100,000 equity in it (house prices have dropped a lot since then.)

You may want to 'phone up the benefits helpline, complete the benefit calculator linked on here and or take some free legal advice about all of this.

Ultimately, however you may feel about spending time with your son, I think you are going to have to consider working full time. That way you will hopefully get some help with child care, dependant on your overall income of course.

I used a child minder rather than a nursery, because I found one who was really fantastic, did loads of things with my children but also was very loving and they received continuity of care there.

I do wish you well-it's a pretty miserable situation I know.

princessdon

You will get WTC and CTC if working over 16 hours a week and single.

I am not sure about mortgage help when working though.

Also if you did use childcare you would get a portion of that paid for.

Plus his maintenance (which is extra).

Does your 2 days take you over the 16 hours? If not can you an additional hour or two?

Dunroamin

What rental income do you get from your flat?

Spamfree_2

Your son is 2. It doesn't matter if the flat you own is very very small. At the end of the day it will be a roof over your head.

pmlindyloo

BBF78 wrote: »

Thank you.
Current situation is joint owners on a house we bought in December. Equity in house was my husband's.
I own a one bed flat in my name which is in negative equity. I'd love to think we could live there but it's very very small.
Just got more complicated, huh?!
I don't claim any benefits at all.

Yes, you're right it has got more complicated.

I realise that you are anxious about the ending of your relationship and are quite rightly concerned about how you are going to manage financially but you do need to sort out the properties before you can make any sensible decisions.

If you are on friendly terms with your OH then you can consult a family mediator who will guide you both through the financial aspects and access to children etc. The Family Mediation Service do charge but it is far less than using a solicitor. Any agreement that is made with their help is not legally binding but the agreement can be made so by using a solicitor.

If you feel this route is not possible then you need to seek legal advice.

Although things may seem financially unsettled at the moment you are in a position where you have a job and you can increase your hours if you have to.

Don't make any decisions until you have spoken to a solicitor.

There may be other options available via help from benefits but until you know your financial position then these must take a 'back seat'.

There is an overview here which you may find useful:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_relationship_problems_e/ending_a_marriage.htm

s1lv3rdal5

BBF78
You could try your local CAB Citizens Advice Bureaux, they are very helpful and up to date with the latest rules.

pmlindyloo

s1lv3rdal5 wrote: »

BBF78
You could try your local CAB Citizens Advice Bureaux, they are very helpful and up to date with the latest rules.

Although this is true, the CAB cannot give legal advice and will suggest either using a solicitor or using a family mediator.

CAB would be able to give details of both for your area.

Where children and property come into the equation there either has to be agreement between the two parties or a court has to make the decisions.