AS, separation and benefits help

confused88

Please bear with me, this may be quite long.

I have Asperger Syndrome, and have suffered lifelong with bouts of depression and constant anxiety.

My partner of 12 years and I are separating. We have three young children. He will be moving out in the new year. I haven't worked since we had our first child, because a) he could support us and b) before children, I was lucky to manage working for 3 or 4 months before it became too much and I burned out, so it was thought best I didn't.

So. Now with him leaving I have been looking at getting back to work but even the thought is causing me to spiral. Reasons being because; the demands of worklife are too much. Stress is too much (now added to by having children). I struggle immensely to manage conversing with the public, which in pretty much every work role there is you need to be able to do this sufficiently. Learning new things can take a long time, which causes me anxiety because people don't understand why. Fitting in at work is always a huge barrier because I do not mix well with others, mostly because I don't seem to intuitively understand them and their social complexities. Plus depression and an already elevated anxiety baseline. Add to the above is the uncertainty of being able to pay childcare fees, manage my time around childcare placements and work and still take care of my home and kids sufficiently.

As such, I am considering other options ie benefit. I just don't know what I can/cannot claim if anything. Can anyone help me?

poppy12345

What are the ages of your children? do you rent or own your home? are you claiming DLA/PIP for yourself? Any savings/capital over £6,000?

confused88

poppy12345 wrote: »

What are the ages of your children? do you rent or own your home? are you claiming DLA/PIP for yourself? Any savings/capital over £6,000?

My children are 4 (almost 5), 9 and 10. We live in housing association. I do not claim for myself no. My youngest child is dx ASD and I claim for him.

No savings.

Alice_Holt

confused88 wrote: »

My youngest child is dx ASD and I claim for him..

What do you claim?
DLA?
If so what award do you get for the care component?
Are you getting Child Tax Credits for the children?

confused88

Alice_Holt wrote: »

What do you claim?
DLA?
If so what award do you get?

He gets middle rate care

Alice_Holt

confused88 wrote: »

He gets middle rate care

Then you can claim Carers Allowance:
https://www.gov.uk/carers-allowance

If you're not claiming this already.

Are you getting Child Tax Credits for the children?

confused88

I've tried three times to reply with quote... -_-

No I'm not claiming carers allowance but I will look into it thank you.

Yes I get tax credits, they went up when my sons DLA claim started.

tazwhoever

As you've mentioned about your illnesses, if they prevent you working then ESA. If not, then JSA but as you have 3 young children, I don't know the rules about this. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be here......

Good luck

tazwhoever

As you've mentioned about your illnesses, if they prevent you working then ESA. If not, then JSA but as you have 3 young children, I don't know the rules about this. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be here......

Good luck

calcotti

tazwhoever wrote: »

As you've mentioned about your illnesses, if they prevent you working then ESA. If not, then JSA but as you have 3 young children, I don't know the rules about this. I'm sure someone with more knowledge will be here......

Good luck

The three children means OP is currently excluded from Universal Credit so it will be ESA (if illness prevents or limits work) or JSA if seeking work.

Should also look at housing benefit and Council tax Reduction from local authority.

If claim Carers Allowance this will be taken into account as income but will result in addition of carer premium to ESA/JSA and HB and will be better off overall.

Note however that from February 2019 claimants with 3 children will be expected to claim Universal Credit. I would therefore recommend sorting things out before the end of January (although obviously you cannot make these claims on your own until you have actually separated).

Alice_Holt

Right.....

Here are my thoughts.
With 3 children you can't claim Universal Credit (the computer can't cope with 3 children),
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-families-with-more-than-2-children-information-for-claimants

so:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax reduction from your local council (explain why you can't claim UC);
http://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/benefits/how_to_claim_housing_benefit

Continue to claim CTC's and update them with the change of circumstances when your ex moves out:

As you are able to claim Carers, you will be able to claim Income Support (this does not require you to work because of your caring duties).
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/income-support/

Try claiming PIP for yourself.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/

An alternative to Income Support might be ESA:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/employment-and-support-allowance/before-you-apply-for-esa/eligiblility-for-esa/
But you need to be assessed as not fit for work. The process of claiming ESA will be more complicated than Income Support.

I would suggest a benefits check at your local advice centre CAB, and get their help in applying for the eligible benefits.

But make the claim for Carers now:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/carers-allowance/