Making a new claim to Universal Credit

[NewSingleMummy]

I know it's not an Aibu but posting for traffic. Appreciate any help and advice. I have been trying to get through to a helpline for nearly three hours to ask questions and not getting through to anyone.

I have kicked my husband out after finding out he's been cheating for the last two years!

I have two children and I currently work 25 hours a week. No childcare costs as we were working around each other.

I have already done one of the online calculators so have a rough idea of what my claim will be.

I have a few questions, hopefully someone can help me before I have a meltdown.

1- my husband has will be paying maintenance, is this added or deducted to/ from my claim?

2- my wages are a lot less than the last tax year. Do they go by circumstances then or now?

3- I will be keeping the family car as I use it for work and kids. It's on finance in my husbands name so can't be signed over. He has agreed to pay the monthly car payments and I will continue to pay the tax/ insurance/ petrol and any other running costs. How will this affect my claim?

1)I don't think CSA comes into it as its a separate thing (not 100% sure though)
2) Goes on your current income as seen by the HMRC
3) Cars aren't taken into account from what I remember.It's literally what Mr Tax man sees your earning on a month by month basis.

1. maintenance is not taken into account, so it's extra on top of your

2. UC doesn't work the same as tax credits, they take into account what you earn each month (they get the details direct from HMRC) so it's not averaged over the year like TC so I'm pretty sure it's your current circs

3. it won't affect your claim, just continue to pay your bills as

There are a couple of excellent FB group called 'Universal Credit Survival' and 'Universal Credit Essentials - BASE' if you need any questions answered, the second group in particular are extremely knowledgeable

Have you filled in the claim online OP? From what I've seen that asks for all the relevant information, and then you will get messages telling you what to do next.

Thank you all so much for your quick responses. It's very much appreciated. Today has been very testing. I have only done the calculator, not the actual online form yet. I will be filling it out as soon as I have spoken to eldest child and both kids are in bed.

Can't believe this is happening to us.. devastated doesn't come close.