Husband Is Leaving Me - Claiming Housing Benefit & Council Tax Relief

raphanius

My husband and I are going through the process of separation. I work part-time and claim tax credits I also get child benefit and tax credits for one child. what I need to know is can I claim any housing benefit or council tax relief when my income from the tax credits falls. My husbands mother owns the house and the condition she has placed on me in order to stay is I pay rent when previously as a couple we lived here rent free.

pmlindyloo

The first thing you need to do is find out your entitlement to tax credits.

Telephone them, explain the situation and tell them you need to put in a single claim (presuming your OH has left the property)

As a single parent you will need to work 16 hours a week to qualify for working tax credits as well as Child Tax Credit.

You can put your details into the benefit calculation for a good idea as to what you would be entitled to.

Calculator here:
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/benefits-check

As regards claiming housing benefit. This may be a problem as claiming when you live in a close relative's house is not always easy and they will probably want to investigate as to whether your MIL is charging rent so that she can take advantage of the benefit system. Since she did not charge rent before then this may also raise questions.

You will definitely need to have a tenancy agreement drawn up and she will need to adhere to all the responsibilities of a landlord.

If you google 'contrived tenancy' you can read all about it.

You can try to claim council tax support.

In the circumstances you may be better off finding a new place to rent.

quidsy

Don't forget to add in the child support your husband wil be paying.

raphanius

blondebubbles wrote: »

How do you know the income from your tax credits will reduce? Have you spoke to them?

i used the online tax credit checker

raphanius

i work in a pub so my hours vary between 16 and 30
i average £120 a week
no childcare OH is looking after the boy while I work

raphanius

blondebubbles wrote: »

You'd get around £7000 per year in tax credits based on that. Is that less than you get now?

its a drop of about £800! i can manage that OH used to cost me more than that a year in fags

raphanius

no he never worked i supported us all i did put that he was disabled but he never got any benefits for it he's partially sighted i got the 30 hours element because i claim some self employed hours for web design affiliate marketing work i do at home

sorry its a bit complicated

raphanius

blondebubbles wrote: »

Ah right, that makes sense then. Are you not planning on continuing with that?

i probably will for the extra money although its not all that much

raphanius

can i claim housing benefit aswell?

pmlindyloo

raphanius wrote: »

can i claim housing benefit aswell?

See post 2.

raphanius

ok thanks for your help things are much clearer now