Benefit help

Potbellypig

I need some help with what I will be entitled to. Me and my ex partner split up 3 weeks ago and I know I need to sort my income out but I've been burying my head in the sand since she left. I am a bloke that works part time (my partner used to work full time) and I have 2 kids aged 7 and 4 to look after on a full time basis. I'm hoping to stay working part time though. I rent a house and because of my ex partners wage, we weren't entitled to benefits before.


I don't even know where to start on what I will be entitled to and the online 'what would you be entitled to' baffles me a bit.


She wants to pay maintenance of £200 a month but earns quite a good wage (around £35,000 a year). My minds a bit of a mess at the minute so taking the £200 a month seems like a good deal.


I suppose my local council is the next step? But tonight is probably the first time I've pulled my head out of my !!!! to even think about it. So, what will I be entitled to?

nannytone_2

do the children live with you?
how many hours a week are you working?
is your home rented?
is it social housing or a private rental?
how old are your children? ( if they live with you)
how many bedrooms do you have?

Indie_Kid

If you work for less than 16 hours, you may be entitled to income support as your youngest is under 5.

nannytone_2

maintenance wise, she should be giving you 20% of her take home pay.so £200 a month seems a bit low to me.

[Deleted User]

This site has a benefits calculator. http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspxJust go through it step by step.

Things like housing benefit/income support etc will not take into account any CSA/maintenance money your ex pays you.

allen35

At the first instance request an Housing Benefit application from your local council today, you will then have 1 month to complete and the claim for housing benefit and council tax will start from the Monday after the first point of contact.

If you rent privately you will be entitled up to the 2 bedroom rate of your Local Housing Allowance depending on your income. (Check LA website for current rates)

Contact HMRC and request a tax credit app' pack (0345 300 3900-mobile friendly) if not already in receipt, this benefit can be backdated up to 1 month. If receiving Child Tax Credits report the change in circumstances.

I am basing the above on you being in receipt of Child Benefit, if your partner receives CB she will need to relinquish and you make a new claim (Can take a while) but don't hesitate in applying for tax credits.

Any maintenance is disregarded.

If working 16 hours you will be entitled to Working Tax Credits as a single parent, initially this may be calculated on 2013/14 joint income, once you receive your award contact HMRC and request an estimate of this tax year's income be used for the calc'. Always wise to overestimate current years income to avoid an overpayment further down the line.

If you work less than 16 hours you may qualify for Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance depending on income and when your youngest reaches 5yrs of age.

Horseunderwater

Get child benefit moved over to you & your bank account. Claim child tax credits as a single parent, they can back daye but only a month I think. I would suggest going to Citizens advice as they can tell you what you can get and help with any debts. Bills need to be in your name as soon as. Get organized & be the Dad that you are meant 2 B.

Morglin

Put all your figures into this (as a single parent), and it will calculate what you can claim:

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/benefits_search.aspx

Lin

Housing_Benefit_Officer

If private renting we will use the full rent figure in any calculation of Housing Benefit for 13 weeks if your previously could afford the rent when you moved in and have not claimed Housing Benefit in the last 26 weeks. After 13 weeks the 2 bed LHA rate will be used.

If renting from the Council or Housing Association and if a 3 bedroom property then the full rent will be used for 13 weeks after 13 weeks the Bedroom Tax will kick in.