Hi I'm in need of some advice and can't find any information relating to our specific situation anywhere. I'm wondering if someone on here (maybe someone who works for universal credit?) can give some advice.
To cut a long story short, I currently live with my ex partner and 2 kids in a close relative's house. For various reasons the relationship needs to come to an end so we have split amicably and now are trying to find a solution that works best for the children. Ex wants to stay with his relatives as is rent free and he is comfortable here (easy access to work etc). So I have been looking for rented accommodation for myself and our kids, however, I am struggling to find a landlord that will accept us due to my status as a single mum on UC. The children will qualify for 30 free hours from January so I am already looking for work and hope that my reliance on benefits will be temporary.
Ex (employed) has offered to be a joint tenant on a rental so we can get somewhere and pay half the rent until I can find a job (as he's living with relatives rent free). The rental is ideal as it's a few doors down from his relative's house so kids can go between the two houses easily and there will be less disruption to their lives. I feel this is the best outcome for the kids but I am worried about how this may affect my benefits and single person status with UC. Also, I don't know whether I can claim HB if ex is on the tenancy (even if he's not living there). I doubt I'd be able to claim housing benefit for a single person and I'm not sure whether I would be allowed to claim for the shared local housing allowance rate with my ex being regarded similar to a joint tenant in shared accommodation, because he's my ex and father of our children.
I really don't know what to do, I feel stuck.