Child maintenance and mortgage

clearingout

why are you not getting help with living costs through student finance? have you studied before?

My inclination is to tell you to be very careful about your expectations - they are very high and although you have clearly paid your way and been dutiful in helping your husband out with debts, it would be very, very unusual to have the mortgage paid in full on top of child maintenance. It might be considered reasonable for a limited period of time (such as whilst you study) but I would urge caution in trusting that even if you get a court order all signed and sealed with it all agreed, there is nothing to stop him paying and it can be difficult - not to mention time ticks by very quickly - getting it started again. And then there's the influence of any new partner - which can quickly turn the most amicable of situations sour (or indeed, turn around less than amicable situations, you never can tell!).

what are you training in and how likely are you to get work when you have completed your course? have you considered a career development loan? where abouts in the country are you - if you're not in the South East even qualified and experienced people can struggle to find work (this is my experience, despite retraining in teaching in a shortage area - shortage in the south east and London but not in the north west!).

You also need to have a good look at tax credit and universal credit rules as things are changing and life certainly feels like it's getting harder for the single parent. The last thing you need is to start a course you can't financially manage to finish.

Kayalana99

clearingout wrote: »

It might be considered reasonable for a limited period of time (such as whilst you study)

Sorry but just have to point out that no court would tell a ex husband he has to pay extra ££ while she studies at home. His duties are to pay for the kids - that is all.

Caz3121

most people struggle to maintain the same lifestyle for the children after a breakup and state that the children should not suffer.
However it is not always possible when you go from the wage earner supporting one household to two
You have said yourself that you have increased the lifestyle for the children giving them things

"...like swimming lessons, clothes that fit, trips out....things that they've had since we split up. When we were together most of his wages were going on debt- he paid for nothing for the kids at all, my wages covered the food but little else and that's all I had access to."

You now likely have more money coming on from him together with tax credits which you would have not received previously due to his income of around £725 per month plus child benefit so a fair income without you even having to work

pink_boots

It is not only rent you can get help with, you can also get it if you have a mortgage. If you have an endownment mortgage you could receive a certain amount to pay part of the interest.

minceforbrains

£725 a month Tax Credits??? I certainly don't get that. Should I be? I have written to the tax credit people (as I cannot get through on the phone) saying that I've stopped work....

minceforbrains

post deleted

Kayalana99

minceforbrains wrote: »

£725 a month Tax Credits??? I certainly don't get that. Should I be? I have written to the tax credit people (as I cannot get through on the phone) saying that I've stopped work....

I think you will find being a single parent only working 4hours you will be entitled to quite alot...I'm due £185 a month from working tax credits alone and me and my partners wage is joint 20k with one child.

Child matainence for some reason is not classed as income, you to *them* you are basicly working 4hours a week.

You'll probally be entitled to all sorts of things.

This table alone says you will get £500 a month for tax credits; (assuming your 4hrs doesnt go over 5k a year income)

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/no-work-child.htm



But a benifit caulcator might help you more.

Edit: Sorry I thought you only had 2 kids!! Seems your £725 figure is right then.

Caz3121

minceforbrains wrote: »

£725 a month Tax Credits??? I certainly don't get that. Should I be? I have written to the tax credit people (as I cannot get through on the phone) saying that I've stopped work....

here is a guide....looks like with not working and 3 children is is around £725 per month
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/taxcredits/people-advise-others/entitlement-tables/no-work-child.htm

DeeDee74

Kayalana99 wrote: »

I think you will find being a single parent only working 4hours you will be entitled to quite alot...I'm due £185 a month from working tax credits alone and me and my partners wage is joint 20k with one child.

Child matainence for some reason is not classed as income, you to *them* you are basicly working 4hours a week.

You'll probally be entitled to all sorts of things.

This table alone says you will get £500 a month for tax credits; (assuming your 4hrs doesnt go over 5k a year income)


But a benifit caulcator might help you more.

Utter rubbish u cannot claim tax credits if you only work 4 hours a week she hasent a clue what shes talking about..

Kayalana99

DeeDee74 wrote: »

Utter rubbish u cannot claim tax credits if you only work 4 hours a week she hasent a clue what shes talking about..

Um. Look at the link? it clearly says NOT WORKING with 3 children.

And just to add for OP I know you are working but since its under 16hours(I belive it might be 24 now without checking) to them it still goes under the not working bracket.