Need help finding what I'm entitled too

Platty764

Mojisola wrote: »

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.

Correct, unfortunately I've only just discovered this

meercatsunited

dont know enough about benefits to advise you but as for a bank accounts try the co-operative bank, good to be with, they have bought a building society and are buying I think Chelsea BS, can be used online or branch, this bank also takes people who have declared bankruptcy.

good luck with everything

nicky7

Hi,

Im with HSBC bank and they have been very good, they might let you open an account or Natwest.

With regards to benefits, if you don't work you wouldget job seekers or income support with this you shouldnt pay any rent/council tax I dont think.

If you are working over 16 hours a week you can qualify for working tax and child tax credit.

kingfisherblue

As your son is 11, you would have to claim JSA and seek work. I'm assuming at this point that you have no children under 5, and that neither you nor your child/ren have disabilities.

Regarding bank accounts, open one as soon as possible in your own name. When I became a single parent, Im was told that no benefits would be paid until I had a separate bank account (joint bank accounts held before then). This was over seven years ago, though. I found the Halifax most unhelpful, Nationwide weren't interested, and several other banks had waiting lists for appointments (up to two weeks). Santander were brilliant though. They sorted me out with a new bank account, including debit card, within an hour. Some banks won't give debit cards to those who have only benefit income.

I also have a Post Office account, the type for benefit payments only. I have some benefits paid into my bank (to cover direct debits) and some paid into the PO. I usse this cash for shopping, day to day expenses, etc. I rarely use my debuit card.

Don't forget to inform the council tax department that you are now the only adult in your property, and apply for council tax benefit.

Close any joint CTC claim and open a single claim.

Sort out child support with your ex - for one child, it is 15% of net income, for two, it is 20% and for three or more children, 25%. You may want to sort out child benefit and CTC into your name first, if you think your wife might suddenly decide to become primary carer of the children for financial reasons (I don't mean to be cynical, but it could happen - even the most amicable of separations can go haywire when money is involved)

Ellejmorgan

gregbythesea wrote: »

In the eyes of the law yes, but in the real world in cases like this the mother who is receiving the CB is quite likely to refuse to relinquish that entitlement for many reasons when she finds out that without it, she stands to lose a lot of money!

You talk rubbish, she has no choice after 8 weeks otherwise she's committing fraud..


The system is not geared up for single mums at all, all lone parents now are given a hard time, my friend is a single father, he hasn't had any issues at all with benefits, he has to go through with the recent changes just like mums do...
If anything single fathers are praised because they are raising the kids, they get told what a great job they are doing, us Mums get told to get a job and stop breeding...

OP how old is the youngest, if over 5 you will be having to hunt for work and on JSA, if under it's income support..

You will recieve approx £400 pm in tc, £70 odd per week for you and £20 odd on child benefits. that's not exact as I have 3 and can't remember..

Ellejmorgan

meercatsunited wrote: »

dont know enough about benefits to advise you but as for a bank accounts try the co-operative bank, good to be with, they have bought a building society and are buying I think Chelsea BS, can be used online or branch, this bank also takes people who have declared bankruptcy.

good luck with everything

I'm an ex bankrupt, I'm with the Nationwide, btw bankruptcy comes off credit file after 6 years, mine just has, no trace anywhere...