Spitting up and benefits

SarahandherCat

Hi,

Hopefully someone can help have a few complicated questions as trying to work out what I'd be entitled too but sure others have been through this.

Me and my partner own a house (I assume for tax credits purposes 'captial' is what we have in - the mortgage ) which has around 15k.

Because of my location of family I would need to move to another area so the plan would be for me and my 2 kids to go and rent closer to 'home' and he would stay in our house.

He would pay the mortgage here in that case. On doing the calculator, it seems I would be entitled to housing benefit help and benefits, does this sound about right that I could 'own' another house and still be entitled to this?

Also, when they ask about last years income, do I need to include his in this considering we would be spilt?


I do work currently but because I work evenings, I would be looking at quiting, and I would seek out another job asap but hoping to get things set up and know I can make this work first as I don't know how long it would be till that happens considering I've got childcare to consider.

Darksparkle

Have you checked to see if you are in a universal credit area?

SarahandherCat

Darksparkle wrote: »

Have you checked to see if you are in a universal credit area?

No it isn't a listed area from a quick google.

poppy12345

Putting the post code in of the area you're planning on moving to will tell you for sure.

http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate



Also there could be a problem with claiming housing benefit and owning your own home. Others will know for sure and reply when they see this.

SarahandherCat

poppy12345 wrote: »

Putting the post code in of the area you're planning on moving to will tell you for sure.

http://ucpostcode.entitledto.co.uk/ucdate



Also there could be a problem with claiming housing benefit and owning your own home. Others will know for sure and reply when they see this.

Sounds like this would be relevant then...just to make it more complicated. It says in my area it will start from 11th July 2018 - it makes sense to move out around end July/August because then kids can start a new school year somewhere else.

Caz3121

have you discussed the plans for the mortgaged house in the future? Is he planning to buy you out or sell the property?

SarahandherCat

Caz3121 wrote: »

have you discussed the plans for the mortgaged house in the future? Is he planning to buy you out or sell the property?

I guess it's a moot point now as looking at UC, I couldn't own the house and still get benefits so I guess either my option is to stay here myself and get a job or sell up.

Kind of difficult decision as the kids are really happy and settled here but I literally have no one here and no childcare support like I would if I moved back.

I'm not too worried ATM about the house/long term plans as we are quite level headed about all this and reasonable people, I guess we both just want us to be ok financially however that will work for now and we'll deal with rest as it comes.

Ineededaname

You will need to declare the property on any benefit applications and they will make a decision from there. It will ultimately depend on the amount of your total capital they take into account.

If you own half the house it's quite possible they will expect it to be sold so you have access to your capital. Have you considered allowing your ex partner to buy your half of the property if he wants to keep the house? From your post it sounds like he will be paying the full mortgage on the property now anyway?

Regardless - you should make the application honestly and they will tell you.

I think you do include your ex partners earnings for the previous year yes.

Finally be careful outright leaving a job if you intend to claim benefits. Before you do so look into your other options. What type of work are you doing in the evenings? Does your employer have staff at other times of the day? If so - put in an official flexibile working request to alter your hours. Look at childcare options - you could be entitled to claim back up to 85% of any childcare you need to remain in work. Can family or friends help temporarily while you look for more suitable work? Is reducing your hours a possibility rather than outright quitting?

Quitting a job could lead to an initial benefit sanction of ~3 months if they decide you left voluntarily without need. It's possible you would be okay based on the circumstances but it would certainly help your case if you showed you'd considered all your other options first.

SarahandherCat

Thanks great advice, it might be worth considering keeping my job until I can find another I guess. I might be able to temporary sort out childcare but it would be a lot to put on family given it's 5 evenings a week but it could be the only solution until I find something in day. My job is actually in the area I'm moving back too so that makes it easier too, unf they don't do day work in that building but I have seen jobs come up in the area from time to time. It may really be worth talking to them.

ETA: He wouldn't have funds to buy out and without getting into nitty gritty the funds in the house are considered mine as I owe debt to family to raise the deposit in first place. Unf we have a large 4k exit fee so I'd only be left with around 10k give or take (which is a lot, but a loss of around 7k from purchase inc exit fee..)

Ineededaname

It's not a guarantee you would be sanctioned. They will ask why you left your job and you will have to give your reasons and any evidence on your behalf - all of this is then sent to a Decision Maker. Ultimately you have to do what is best for you and your kids and only you can decide that I'm just giving you the 'what if's' of your benefit claim here. If you have to outright quit, hope and prepare for the best outcome but also have a plan for the worse.

Definitley speak to your employer and see what they can do first of all - they may be able to offer you something that works and solves your problem. You won't know unless you ask. It may be worth putting something in writing as you could take that as some evidence for when you do make the benefit claim. You can look on the GOV website for information about recovering childcare costs as another option. If 5 days a week is too much for the family, could you work less days rather than quit?

Your other option is start using this month to look for a job you can do and hopefully you could find something before your move. Keep a little record of this to show the jobcentre as well.

In regards to the house - if the actual capital amount in it is less than £16,000 and you can evidence this you would be entitled to Universal Credit. If they decide to take the capital into account your payments would be reduced. Again all of this will go through a decision maker so you won't know for sure until that, but I do think it is likely they would consider that as capital available to you and take it into account.

bigbill

House value / capital / equity will be ignored for the first 6 months, longer if you then take steps to sell the property?

If your no longer a couple now claim Child and Working Tax Credits as a single parent now.