Need help finding what I'm entitled too

Platty764

My wife has announced that she is leaving and I'll be the one raising our two children. I've been a househusband since my son was born 11 years ago. My problem is that I have no idea about benefits, I don't have my own bank account(my wife has also crippled our credit rating) I live in rented accomodation so I know I can get housing benefit but I have no idea about anything else.

If someone would be kind enough to explain who I need to contact and which banks would be willing to let me open an account with a low credit rating and without knowing what my income will be I would be very grateful.

anj_S

I dont really know much about benefits but just wanted to say im sorry you are having such a difficut time.

I know there are such things as lone parent advisors, think they are at the benefits agency but someone will correct me if im wrong, maybe a chat with them would be a good starting point.

Ang

anj_S

I dont think that should matter really. There are alot of lone single dads who do a great job too. If you call and try and make an appointment then hopefully that will make it easier,

pmlindyloo

Platty764 wrote: »

My wife has announced that she is leaving and I'll be the one raising our two children. I've been a househusband since my son was born 11 years ago. My problem is that I have no idea about benefits, I don't have my own bank account(my wife has also crippled our credit rating) I live in rented accomodation so I know I can get housing benefit but I have no idea about anything else.

If someone would be kind enough to explain who I need to contact and which banks would be willing to let me open an account with a low credit rating and without knowing what my income will be I would be very grateful.

First of all bank accounts. You need a basic Bank Account. See here; http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/banking/basic-bank-accounts for Martin's article. Most of the big banks do them. You would wise to use one that has no link with either creditors or your wife's bank.

As regards benefits:

Income Support if you have a child under school age.

Job Seekers Allowance if the children are over school age until you secure employment.

Child Benefit - you need to get this transferred to your name if it is in your wife's name.

Child Tax credit - you need to contact tax credits asap if you already have a claim to explain change of circumstances or begin a new claim.

Housing Benefit

Council Tax benefit

All of the above are means tested (ie depend on any income/savings)

Child Maintenance - either a private arrangement or through CSA.


You can either visit CAB for help with all this or you can do it yourself by googling each benefit and finding out how you apply.

You will also need to contact various people about your separation eg utilities, landlord etc etc.

There is a fairly good guide about ending a relationship on Adviceguide. I will see if I can find it.

Must be a difficult time for you so a visit to CAB for some support might be a sensible route to take.

Platty764

Thank you very much for the help and kind words. I'm currently on direct.gov but there is so much information I think I'm starting to confuse myself, lol

Platty764

Thank you Lindyloo, I think I'm going to contact CAB tomorrow morning and try and figure this mess out, I'll be honest I thought this would be the easy bit

pmlindyloo

Here's the article I was talking about:

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

The best thing to do is to google each benefit separately. It is so confusing isn't it?

Please come back if you need some further help. There are lots of knowledgeable people on here who will be happy to support you through this difficult time.

mrsrwallace

Don't quote me as I am no expert but I do believe there is an organisation for lone parents called "Gingerbread". Now, I don't know if that is just available here in Northern Ireland but you could google them anyway and see if they are in the whole of the UK. Also, there is a website called entitledto.com which is very useful, it would give you some idea of what kind of benefits you could claim and give you a rough idea of amounts that you would receive although the exact amount would be clear when you apply for them.

First thing to do is call your local Jobs and Benefits office tomorrow morning to make an URGENT appointment to go through your situation and tell them you have no income and two children to look after. They will give you forms to fill in to claim the benefits and also sort any Housing Benefit you may get.

Most banks offer a basic bank account to allow you to lodge benefits and pay your basic bills from, I am not sure of their names but there is a link already posted to you from another poster.

Good luck! You will be OK once you are sorted. Wish you the best.

Platty764

Fortunately things are very civil whether it stays that way remains to be seen.

margaretclare

Child Benefit is for the care and maintenance of the child, whichever parent has that care and responsibility. I believe it can even be claimed by grandparents in some circumstances, if they have care of a child. So, no, it doesn't have to be the mother. The reason it was originally paid to the mother - and I was one of those who lobbied for this way back - was that the tax allowance usually paid to the father often did not find its way to the mother, who actually fed and clothed the children.

The organisation Gingerbread does exist throughout the UK and it is for single parents, not just single mothers. Have a look: http://www.gingerbread.org.uk/

HTH

Mojisola

Platty764 wrote: »

My wife has announced that she is leaving and I'll be the one raising our two children. I've been a househusband since my son was born 11 years ago.

gregbythesea wrote: »

what happens if mum refuses to relinquish her entitlement to Child Benefit as many do in these types of cases?

As Platty is a househusband the CB should have been in his name. If not, he's been losing out on credits towards his pension.