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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Can I start claiming benefits?

15 replies

Desperatesituation · 04/02/2020 20:24

My husband and I have been married for 5 years and have twin reception age boys. We live together in a house we own with mortgage. We have split up, I have my own room and bathroom in the house and pay half the mortgage because at the moment I can't afford to rent (I am a social worker working 25 hrs a week so I can do all the childcare outside of school). I've just found out that the team I am in is no longer going to exist due to a re structure so I no longer have a job in 3 months. I can apply for a child protection role which I don't want to do. So essentially I am unemployed and stuck in the home. Can I claim benefits whilst we still live together? I can't see how I can survive if not Or get out of this house and into rented. I have no savings, didn't work at husbands request for 3 years to save on childcare fees for twins etc and now have nothing. Can I make a claim once I'm made redundant whilst still living here? Thanks!

OP posts:
maginachevalier · 04/02/2020 20:40

Hi OP , sorry to hear about the breakdown of your marriage and the loss of your job . Sorry I don't have any helpful advice but I think you should make an appointment with citizens advice and explain your circumstances, I am sure they will be able to help.
All the best Smile

Charlieandthechocolatecake · 04/02/2020 20:54

Hi OP, you can claim benefits as long as you're no longer living as if you were married. Explain the situation to your work coach when you apply. They may want to investigate your situation further but as long as you're are open and honest, the worst they can do is say no. I'm a work coach, PM me if you have any other questions

Ponoka7 · 04/02/2020 21:00

You will be expected to look for work. They'll expect you to apply for jobs, or you will be sanctioned.

You need to consider what your future plans are.

VanCleefArpels · 04/02/2020 21:01

Why is it you that should leave?? Where would the children live?

But to answer your question you can make a claim for UC as a single person while still living under the same roof as your husband but you will have to demonstrate that you are living entirely separate lives - sleeping, laundry, cooking, no mixed funds etc. It’s quite difficult to prove.

You should speak to the housing officer at your Council to discuss your options if you do decide to move out, but as a 50% owner of the house you live in it’s not just down to you.

I agree CAB will be a great first step to see where you stand

PatellarTendonitis · 04/02/2020 21:04

The 'benefits' now are all one thing: Universal Credit. It works much better for those in work to top up wages and childcare. And with school-aged children you will be expected to seek work or be sanctioned. It's also much harder to rent on UC. You can put in a claim for UC now but you need to seriously consider your future in work because the system is no longer suited to not working at all (even if disabled Sad).

TinyPop14 · 04/02/2020 21:07

You will need to prove you are separated and do not operate as a family to be able to claim.

PatellarTendonitis · 04/02/2020 21:08

If you have any savings or assets of around £6k or above you'll be expected to use those, too, before receiving UC. Is there equity in the house? The most ideal situation would be for you to get another job and not use UC, divorce, split the equity and get another place to live once the home is sold.

ButtonMoonLoon · 04/02/2020 21:14

I very much doubt that you will be made redundant, social workers are in high demand across all social care sectors. When this happened to me, it was clear that there would be ample opportunities in our district, so if I refused to take any of them open to me/suggested via the redeployment pool then I’d be effectively refusing employment and leaving of my own accord. This was the case even if they weren’t exactly what I wanted or had currently.
I was told that a 13 week period would apply before I could apply for benefits. This was a few years ago now so may have changed.
Are you a union member? I’d strongly recommend this but it may be too late for representation for current issues unless you’re already a member.
If however, you are made redundant then benefits may apply.

Sorph · 04/02/2020 21:20

Sounds like you're in a crappy situation with a lot going on for you at once OP :( . I'm pretty sure though that not wanting to apply for the job that's avaliable won't wash with UC there comes a point when they will expect you be applying for any job avaliable wether you want to do or it not. X

sewingsinger · 05/02/2020 11:19

As others have said you can claim but you will be expected to job seek. I notice that you are paying half the mortgage and only do 25 hours so you can do the childcare. What is the situation with your H - what is he doing about sharing the childcare now you are no longer together?

Original poster
Desperatesituation · 05/02/2020 19:17

Thanks for all the replies- we don't share a bedroom, our joint account is closed - I can demonstrate that I buy my own groceries and so on and that I pay half the mortgage into his account. He won't sell the house - well paid job and can easily afford the mortgage on his own. The only social work jobs available are child protection unless I commute to the next county which I can't afford and for my own wellbeing I can't do frontline cp again. Just desperately want to be out of this house - of course I will be looking for work asap and will take anything, I've got experience cleaning, waitressing etc pre becoming a social worker. Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
Original poster
Desperatesituation · 05/02/2020 19:18

Sorry, to add I still do all the childcare.

OP posts:
TokenGinger · 05/02/2020 20:56

OP, be mindful that if there are roles suitable for you to apply for (CP), and you don't apply, you make yourself redundant and will not get a pay out. You'll only get a pay out if you put yourself forward for voluntary redundancy or are made redundant because your application for a role isn't successful.

PityParty4one · 05/02/2020 21:01

Childcare is his responsibility also.
He needs to pay half or look after the DC.

Please seek legal advice OP. You seem to be railroading by this man and hes taking you for a ride!!!

PatellarTendonitis · 05/02/2020 21:21

Right now you are in a much better position to try to find other work. It is always better to be in work, especially when it comes to renting another place. You can apply to divorce, however, and it may be that the house is compelled to be sold. As you are working 25 hours at present, you may indeed be entitled to some UC and particularly assistance with paid childcare. It cannot hurt to apply but DO visit some boards and forums, particularly the ones of FB and moneysavingexpert, for tips on how to do this as some experience is that it is better to begin your application in the middle of the month due to how the system works.

But definitely try to seek FT work elsewhere in your field is possible because you will be expected to be doing so (IIRC, it's 35 hours) with school-aged children.

You have good skills, you can do this. Many have and you will get past this! And be free of him. Once you apply for divorce then financial affadvits will need to be supplied.

Unfortunately, there is no way to compel a parent to provide childcare Sad.

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