separation advice please

sarahsarah

Hello, I am just after a little advice please.
My husband has moved out, he says he is going to take me off the joint bank account today. His wages and tax credits go in there. I have another account where my child benefit goes, I have £80 in there to last 3 more weeks.
He has cancelled my phone contract (in his name) so I have ordered a free sim card and will need to put £10 credit on or whatever.
I don't work ATM, I have recently had an operation but when I'm signed as fit to work by doctor I can start childminding again. Maybe September
Will I get a bit more tax credits? Do I need proof of seperation?
How much should I expect husband to give toward s food for the children?

Gigglepig

Sorry to hear about this difficult situation.

If you go through CSA for child maintenance, the contributions can be calculated here: https://www.gov.uk/calculate-your-child-maintenance

Perhaps CAB can give you some free advice regarding the financial matters of the separation?

Is this a final split or might you and your husband be open to try marriage counselling or mediation?

neneromanova

Your husband won't be able to take you off the joint bank account unless you sign something to allow this. I would phone the CSA today to start a claim for maintenance and also ring the tax credit helpline so they can start the ball rolling with a single claim.

clearingout

if the children are staying with you (which I think they are?), you should phone tax credits immediately and have them switch to your bank account at the same time as making a single person's claim.

You don't say how many children you have put two would mean 20% of his take home pay should be paid in maintenance and three or more would mean 25%. If he won't pay voluntarily, the CSA will help you. Do be aware that the CSA will only backdate to the date that they first contact him so set yourself a deadline and if he's not playing ball, contact the CSA straight away - don't hang on expecting him to work it out because if he doesn't want to, he could play games with you for months.

He is not allowed to 'take you off the joint bank account'. It doesn't work like that. It will need to be frozen, certainly, but you will only be allowed off it, with your signature AND assuming that it is in credit.

Get all bills put into your name and make sure he pays his share of anything left over. You should also contact your local council and get your council tax reduction for there being only one adult in the household - it helps.

Depending on the age of your children, you may be entitled to Income Support (any children under 5?), otherwise you go onto JSA although if you are unable to work, there are probably alternatives but I am not aware of those.

You can check out your benefits situation on turn2us.org.uk

Hope you're OK. It gets better, give it a bit of time.

Treevo

neneromanova wrote: »

Your husband won't be able to take you off the joint bank account unless you sign something to allow this. I would phone the CSA today to start a claim for maintenance and also ring the tax credit helpline so they can start the ball rolling with a single claim.

He'll be able to stop any debits from the account though and have his wages diverted to another.

OP - get the CSA application done today and then contact the benefits board for advice on your tax credit situation.

sarahsarah

Thanks everyone, the joint account has 500 overdraft by the end of each month, think its about 250 overdrawn up to now.
We have two children, youngest is not 5 till next spring. They are staying here, though we will move eventually as its a forces married quarter.
He says he will set up a direct debit for the kids. Can't communicate very well today with no blinking mobile :-\

Gigglepig

Sarah if you are worried about money to get by in the short run, perhaps do a sweep of the house to see if there are any used items no longer needed you can stick on ebay, like old kids toys or clothes? If you need to move in a while, it will help declutter as well as get you a little extra money.

sarahsarah

Thanks gigglepig, had the eBay idea 2 weeks ago, got £90 in the PayPal so far. More to list as I'm a super hoarder :-)

Dimey

Good advice above.

If you know you are permanently separating then best to get a legal separation agreement drawn up by a solicitor for your husband to agree.

If you end up divorcing, the legal separation agreement will make that process more straightforward.

It will take into account all the financial aspects, share of savings, property, pensions etc.

Poppie68

You need to contact SSAFA and your family welfare officer, your husband should not be leaving you short of money with children to feed and the military take a very dim view on situations like this . If the tax credits are child tax credits, call them and get the claim put into your name today.

Sorry meant to add, regarding proof of seperation, the Welfare office should be able to provide you with a letter to send to HMRC for your tax credits.