So, due to DV I’m now a single mum to 3 children. We had tax credits and WTC as a couple, but I work for myself (only a few hours a week) so obviously have changed to a single claim for child tax credits.
I’m about to apply for Income support until Sept when youngest starts school at which point I will be working (possibly before September)
I’m going to need to try for HB as I’m having to rent privately, I’m not on the mortgage/deeds for FMH but I appreciate through marriage I have an interest in the property and that HB may well be funny about this.....
Anyway, I’ve been reading up and am now beyond confused.
If I try to claim HB and IS will I be moved onto UC? Even though I have 3 children and the system doesn’t seem entirely set up to manage more than 2 (I see the retrospective removal of benefits for the third child has been scrapped)
And if I do move is it as awful as I read it as being?
I was going to try to build my business back up alongside doing 16 hours of other work but it seems very harsh on self employment tbh (I lost custom during illness and have struggled to get it going again)
So much seems to be changing that I can’t seem to make sense of it. Obviously if I have to go on it so be it, but I’m very stressed about it as I already think I’ve screwed up the kids lives by leaving a secure home with a half ok income without adding in being really badly off financially as well!