Please help with our tricky situation

lfcandy

Me and my girlfriend have taken the difficult decision to split up, we have 2 kids, one is 2 months the other 20 months

There is a 6 month waiting list for her to get her own place, things are currently amicable but we need to sort out the finances

She is currently on Maternity leave until Dec 31st (SMP), she was not planning to return to work as her wage wasn't enough to cover the childcare costs, this was whilst we were together as I am a high earner she didn't qualify for support - it may change if her benefits allow her to do so

I own the house, I pay the bills and cover the cost of basically everything.

I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she is supported but was wondering what are her entitlements whilst she is currently living in the same house and what she is entitled to when she moves out?

also how does maintenance work, sorry for all of the questions but I have been fortunate enough never to have been in a situation where I have required financial support and my ex girlfriend doesn't know where to start

This is about what benefits she is entitled to

is there someone I can call who will tell me everything I need to know? any help would be much appreciated

pmlindyloo

lfcandy wrote: »

Me and my girlfriend have taken the difficult decision to split up, we have 2 kids, one is 2 months the other 20 months

There is a 6 month waiting list for her to get her own place, things are currently amicable but we need to sort out the finances

She is currently on Maternity leave until Dec 31st (SMP), she was not planning to return to work as her wage wasn't enough to cover the childcare costs, this was whilst we were together as I am a high earner she didn't qualify for support - it may change if her benefits allow her to do so

I own the house, I pay the bills and cover the cost of basically everything.

I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure she is supported but was wondering what are her entitlements whilst she is currently living in the same house and what she is entitled to when she moves out?

also how does maintenance work, sorry for all of the questions but I have been fortunate enough never to have been in a situation where I have required financial support and my ex girlfriend doesn't know where to start

This is about what benefits she is entitled to

is there someone I can call who will tell me everything I need to know? any help would be much appreciated

If this was your girlfriend asking the questions I would be urging her to go to CAB for some help and support.

First of all, have you tried to get some outside help to help you work through your difficulties? The children are extremely young and it is sad that their mum and dad can't work things out.

Whilst your family is living in the family home and you are earning a good salary then there will be no extra help available other than Child Benefit (I am assuming you are over the limit for tax credits.)

If you split up and your girl friend moves out (what do you mean about 6 months waiting list? Are you talking about a council house?) into privately rented accommodation then as a single mum she would be entitled to Income Support, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Reduction plus child maintenance.

You can make an agreement with the mother of your children to pay a monthly amount of child support or you can go through CSA.

She may find it difficult to find private accommodation when she is on benefits. She will need a deposit and a month's rent up front. You could act as a guarantor so that the landlord has 'insurance' that the rent will be paid.

You will need to talk about many other things too. There is a useful guide on the CAB website about what to do when your relationship breaks down. I will try and find it for you.

Here you are:

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland/relationships_s/relationships_relationship_


Sorry I've done the link for Scotland. Just change the country at the top.