Newly single parent who needs a bit of guidance

NornIronRose

Due to unforeseen circumstances I am now a single parent as of a few weeks ago. I have 1 dependent child and 1 adult daughter who just started working last month. 

I work part-time (21 hours per week) with a salary of £11200 per annum. I have just applied for child benefit as husband was on a high income so we didn't need or qualify for it for the past few years. 

I was doing a calculation to see if I would be entitled to any other financial help. When I state that I have 1 other non-dependent adult at home, it takes into account her whole salary in the calculation. She is working but was wanting to save enough to do her MSc next year.

Is it the normal thing that they would consider all of her income in my calculation? I would have thought it was different than a couple's income so I'm not sure if I have gone wrong somewhere or this is right. 

I have been going through my finances and changing all bills over into my name and direct debits to my bank account as things are uncertain at present and I need to ensure everything gets paid. 

Is there any guide somewhere as to what else I should be doing/budgeting for etc? I was listening to a Money Box programme today and the cost of even a straightforward divorce can be eye-watering. I need to be as organised as possible right now, something which doesn't come naturally to me. 

If this is in the wrong place then please signpost me to where I need to be please. 
I already am a lover of the Old Style forum and am generally quite frugal which is going to help considerably. 

london21

You might be entitled to universal credit to help with rent, council tax etc.

NornIronRose

I did a universal credit entitlement check. My question about that was if it should be expected that they take into account all of my daughter's wage. 

Savvy_Sue

NornIronRose said:

I did a universal credit entitlement check. My question about that was if it should be expected that they take into account all of my daughter's wage. 

Yes, I think that's what you'd expect.

I don't mean to sound harsh, but the benefits system is a blunt instrument. The income of any other adult in the household has to be included, regardless of who they are and what their plans are. 

thorsoak

If your adult daughter is independant and has her own income, my understanding is that it will affect your claim for council tax relief -but not your claim for universl credit.   You may still get some council tax relief, but not as much as you would get if she did not live with you.

london21

NornIronRose said:

I did a universal credit entitlement check. My question about that was if it should be expected that they take into account all of my daughter's wage. 

Yes if she will also be living in the house you are renting.
They will take all the income of the household into account for the UC application.
Better contacting them to ensure all done properly because if they over pay you or get something you are not entitled to, they will want the money back later. 

tacpot12

I would take the 'average' cost of a divorce with a pinch of salt. There will be quite a wide range around the average. 

You might check out Wikivorce for more information about the process of getting divorced. If you can remain business-like with your husband about getting divorced, there is no reason it need cost a lot of money. 

KxMx

You may find it useful to post in the Benefits section.

Your daughter's income will be taken into account for the housing (rent) element of UC, but not your personal standard allowance. 

Her income will also count for Council Tax Relief. 

NornIronRose

Thank you all. That is all useful information to help me on my way. I definitely do not want to end up getting something I'm not entitled to. 
I am also planning to get extra work as I currently work part-time. I'd be happier to only get child benefit and nothing else if I can help it, but may appreciate a bit of help to begin with. 

NornIronRose

Thanks Tacpot for signposting me to Wikivorce. That's going to be very useful for me. Divorced before well over 25 years ago and I remember it being a fairly easy process. But I didn't have children then, and walked away and left my ex the house, paid off all of our joint debts as I knew he wouldn't be able to. Hard work but straightforward.

trailingspouse

You basically need to maximise your income (which you're well on the way to doing by increasing your hours and looking at what benefits you might be entitled to), and minimise your outgoings (and the Old Style forum will help with that).

You need to get both the kids on board, be honest with them about how tight the money will be ( especially in the run up to Christmas), and discuss with your eldest (adult-to-adult) what you will pay for and what you will expect them to pay for out of their own money. Might your eldest also be entitled to something in the way of benefits?