What am I entitled to as a single mum?

[Newmum201888888]

My baby’s dad & me have decided to separate, we were not married. I’m now a single mum, I can only work 3 days (fri,sat,sun) a week as I can only have the baby minded over the weekend. I did work through the week and I have found it’s given me a massive blow to my earnings not being able to work like I used to. I’m skint. Nursery doesn’t feel like an option as I feel like I wouldn’t be able to afford it.

The apartment we lived is mortgaged by my ex. We came to an agreement that he would rent me the apartment for £650, minus the £300 he has agreed to pay me in child maintenance. I have a lot of anxiety and stress on my shoulders as I don’t even think I could afford that plus bills on top.

Is there any financial/housing relief i’m entitled too? My ex should be paying me £130 per week based on the days, earnings on child maintenance calculator but he has basically said no chance, he is self employed and declares less than he earns. I have no money to take him to court nor do I want it to escalate to that

You don't need to take your ex to court for maintenance, the Child Maintenance Service should take care of it for you, although I appreciate it can be difficult if he's not declaring his earnings properly.

This website should help you make sense of everything else: www.entitledto.co.uk/

Sorry, you will have no entitlement to housing costs as there will not be a proper tenancy (it will be considered a 'contrived tenancy' in order to take advantage of the benefits regulations.).

Take advice from CAB and Shelter about moving out asap and leave him to pay his own mortgage.

Look at entitled to.com. Find out what you should be able to get.

Find somewhere else to live. Do not let your ex have that hold over you, make him pay the bloody maintenance, not knock it off your rent, cheeky fucker. You are leaving yourself open to a world of difficulty if you keep going down that path.

Move back in with parents if it's an option.

You need to get a private rental. You can only get help with housing costs if you have a proper landlord and tenancy agreement.

I'm a single mum working 20 hours a week and I get working tax credits, child tax credits, child benefit and some housing benefit as I am in a private rental. But you will likely have to claim Universal Credit now as the system has changed.

Definitely get your own place . Also if you did work during the week and used childcare you would be likely to get help up to 70% towards your childcare .