Claiming benefits/maintenance whilst still living together, help

[Billibob84]

Hi all,

I am still living with my soon to be ex husband. I've been looking into buying him out the house and taking on the mortgage but to do that I have to prove how much I would get in benefits/maintenance etc and need to show 3 months worth. As we are still living together I cant do this as it changes my eligibility and hes not paying maintenance as we are still.sharing bills/fold etc.
Anyone any ideas?
Thanks

[LemonTT]

You can financially separate whilst living together. That will allow you to claim both benefits and CMS

[Bookvan]

I did this (bloody awful 9 months!)
Claimed tax credits, but I took on all the bills, we had a schedule for when he was responsible for the dcs, and he paid maintenance.
I got investigated by HMRC a year later though, thankfully I had solicitors letters asking him to go, bank statements that backed up my claim.
So just make sure it's all documented and it should be fine

[HappyAsASandboy]

You can put in a claim if you live together but are separated, but sadly HMRC don't always believe you. A joint mortgage might be enough to financially link you, but that doesn't mean he actually has to pay his half, and meanwhile no CMS or benefits

[Billibob84]

Thanks all, so do I just pay for everything as if I were single and he pays maintenance directly to me rather than into the joint account? When I fill in all the questions for benefits i just do it as though I live alone?

[millymoo1202]

We are still living in same house which has no mortgage, he pays me maintenance into my own account. I initially thought I wouldn’t get universal credit as in same home but I phoned them and I qualify as work part time but have increased my hours, but looking like I won’t have a job due to corona! It is an absolute nightmare and feel like I am never going to get out of this as who is going to buy the house now?

[Qwerty543]

I got UC whilst ex still lived with me. I was allowed to claim as a single person and they never questioned it. I got my mortgage without the maintenance proof as it hadn't been 3 months worth so it wasn't taken into account. I had 3 months worth of UC statements though. I wasn't asking to borrow a huge amount though.