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AIBU?

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Original poster

What benefits can a single father claim

102 replies

XStardustX · 19/07/2023 20:50

Asking for a friend.
He dosent work as he has an injury and can't work and suffers from really bad anxiety around people, he dosent really go out of house. He already gets benefits. Not entirely sure but i I think he gets pip anyway. Not sure what else.
I'm just wondering what all would he be entitled to? So that I can mention this to him.he lives in Swansea so Welsh government if that helps.
He just told me today he got paid and all his money went on bills. He's had no food for the past week and I had to lend him a tenner to go to the shop to buy some food. He has two children. 14 and 11 , two boys who stay at weekends but he told me he hasn't been able to have rhe boys around in few weeks because he hasn't had any money to buy any food for the house to feed them. Can't he get like any child benefit? Or is it only the mother could claim that since they are with her full time and his Friday to sunday

OP posts:
BOYBANDLOVER · 19/07/2023 20:59

i would say ESA and single person UC

i would assume he's already on UC if he doesn't have a job as PIP doesn't replace that its UC or working
basic UC means you have to look for work

if hes on UC and gets PIP the limited capability for work and work-related activity element is possible, if you get that its extra money and you dont have to look for work

if its ESA that replace UC and more money

Gettingfleeced · 19/07/2023 21:06

Depending on his injury, there may be plenty of home based jobs he could do that he could look into. There are lots of office type/admin jobs that can be done from home without the need to be around people and he might have other skills he could monetize. What is his background work-wise?

Gingerkittykat · 19/07/2023 21:13

Has he got limited capability for work or work related activities on his UC? If not he needs to hand in sick notes and will then be sent an assessment form after 28 days. If he is awarded it he won't have to search for work and might get extra money.

He should also have a housing payment. In some cases it covers the full rent but often needs to be topped up.

Benefits for single people are a tiny amount.

He can't get any benefits for the boys as they only go to the resident parent.

Gerrataere · 19/07/2023 21:14

Not much to go on here. Is he on UC or Tax credits? Is he a home owner or renting? Is he definitely on pip?

So for example if he is on pip and uc he should be getting

Single Person Claim
Limited Capacity to Work
Housing benefits if renting (at the rate he needs, probably one bedroom as he’s not the children’s main carer)

Plus whatever pip he’s gets.

Does he have reduced council tax rate? Due to my own circumstances I get a 75% reduction so may be something to look into.

Any qualifying children’s benefit goes to their main caregiver for obvious reasons.

XenoBitch · 19/07/2023 21:39

His best bet is to see someone at Citizens Advice. They can have a look over what benefits he is on, and can help with applying for any he might be missing out on.

QOFE · 19/07/2023 21:43

He's hardly a "single father" is he Hmm

He's a single man who has children that he sees occasionally and doesn't support financially.

BarbaraofSeville · 19/07/2023 21:54

He could go 50/50 with the children with his ex and they could both claim for one child each.

Blackbyrd · 19/07/2023 22:11

BarbaraofSeville · 19/07/2023 21:54

He could go 50/50 with the children with his ex and they could both claim for one child each.

You really think someone who doesn't really leave the house, alongside many other issues, should have full time care of a child? I know everyone pipes up with this "advice" constantly but it is very rarely appropriate and often is tantamount to benefit fraud as the child usually stays in the original family unit

Original poster
XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:26

@QOFE
For your information, he has always supported the kids financially. Every single penny he earned from his job went on the kids, trips away, clothes, toys , classes ect.. he gave them everything before he would even consider giving himself anything. He gives his ex money every week .
He literally raised the kids himself as his ex was always out with friends doing activities every day of the week and partying all weekend not coming home as she was sleeping with other men. It went on for years. She never wanted to be a parent but made things difficult for him out of spite. He was the one always have to explain why mummy wasn't at home.
Kids would have been in care long ago if it wasn't for him.
I've seen that for myself . She wasn't present. She was so lazy he used to have to bath her , nevermind the kids .
He gets the kids to stay at weekends, from Friday evening after school and Kids leave Monday morning for school and go back to their mothers. He always had the boys around for tea on Wednesday aswell.
Not fair at all to judge someone you know nothing about

OP posts:
Hufflepods · 19/07/2023 22:28

If she’s such an awful mother who can’t look after herself or the children then why has he left her to look after them most of the week?

Thelnebriati · 19/07/2023 22:31

If he gets PIP he may be entitled to ESA, as long as he has under £6,000 in savings. He can claim online. He'll need the same supporting evidence he used to make his claim for PIP.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) money if you cannot work because of illness or disability - rates, eligibility, apply, assessment.

https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

piedbeauty · 19/07/2023 22:32

QOFE · 19/07/2023 21:43

He's hardly a "single father" is he Hmm

He's a single man who has children that he sees occasionally and doesn't support financially.

This! His poor ex is supporting their dc herself.

YabbaDabbaDooooo · 19/07/2023 22:33

XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:26

@QOFE
For your information, he has always supported the kids financially. Every single penny he earned from his job went on the kids, trips away, clothes, toys , classes ect.. he gave them everything before he would even consider giving himself anything. He gives his ex money every week .
He literally raised the kids himself as his ex was always out with friends doing activities every day of the week and partying all weekend not coming home as she was sleeping with other men. It went on for years. She never wanted to be a parent but made things difficult for him out of spite. He was the one always have to explain why mummy wasn't at home.
Kids would have been in care long ago if it wasn't for him.
I've seen that for myself . She wasn't present. She was so lazy he used to have to bath her , nevermind the kids .
He gets the kids to stay at weekends, from Friday evening after school and Kids leave Monday morning for school and go back to their mothers. He always had the boys around for tea on Wednesday aswell.
Not fair at all to judge someone you know nothing about

How did he not get custody?

Jimminir · 19/07/2023 22:36

Why Didn’t he go for custody?

but no he can’t claim benefits for the kids if they live with their mum.

XenoBitch · 19/07/2023 22:37

piedbeauty · 19/07/2023 22:32

This! His poor ex is supporting their dc herself.

Show quote history

He is on benefits, and is struggling to feed himself, let alone his kids when they visit. And Friday to Sunday is hardly "occasionally".

I have a good friend who is similar to OP's. He is unable to work, but tries to do his best by his boy, who his has on weekends.
OP is after advice, not judgement.

Daydreamer123456 · 19/07/2023 22:38

Thelnebriati · 19/07/2023 22:31

If he gets PIP he may be entitled to ESA, as long as he has under £6,000 in savings. He can claim online. He'll need the same supporting evidence he used to make his claim for PIP.
https://www.gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#eligibility

No, You can still claim ESA with savings over £16,000

New Style Employment and Support Allowance

You may be able to claim New Style Employment and Support Allowance with, or instead of Universal Credit, depending on your National Insurance record.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-style-employment-and-support-allowance#eligibility

NoSquirrels · 19/07/2023 22:39

If he had the kids 3 nights a week, every week, how much money is he giving their mother every week? Because it sounds like that’s a problem really.

TomatoSandwiches · 19/07/2023 22:41

If she is so awful why did he not take the boys with him?
I wouldn't leave my children with a parent like that.

Original poster
XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:44

@piedbeauty
He still fully provides for the children financially!
He gives money to their mother

OP posts:
Willyoujustbequiet · 19/07/2023 22:46

XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:26

@QOFE
For your information, he has always supported the kids financially. Every single penny he earned from his job went on the kids, trips away, clothes, toys , classes ect.. he gave them everything before he would even consider giving himself anything. He gives his ex money every week .
He literally raised the kids himself as his ex was always out with friends doing activities every day of the week and partying all weekend not coming home as she was sleeping with other men. It went on for years. She never wanted to be a parent but made things difficult for him out of spite. He was the one always have to explain why mummy wasn't at home.
Kids would have been in care long ago if it wasn't for him.
I've seen that for myself . She wasn't present. She was so lazy he used to have to bath her , nevermind the kids .
He gets the kids to stay at weekends, from Friday evening after school and Kids leave Monday morning for school and go back to their mothers. He always had the boys around for tea on Wednesday aswell.
Not fair at all to judge someone you know nothing about

If she is such a bad mum what on earth is he thinking leaving the kids with her?

Why hasn't he applied for custody?

I think he has spun you a line and you've fallen for it.

Original poster
XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:48

@TomatoSandwiches he dosent have a choice

OP posts:
Luxell934 · 19/07/2023 22:49

I don’t know anything about benefits but if he’s not able to take the boys because he has no money for food then could he use a food bank?

Original poster
XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:50

@Willyoujustbequiet I've known the family for many years

OP posts:
FrenchieF · 19/07/2023 22:52

If he can’t work or even go out the house , he can’t look after his kids properly.

YabbaDabbaDooooo · 19/07/2023 22:52

XStardustX · 19/07/2023 22:50

@Willyoujustbequiet I've known the family for many years

So you'll be able to tell us why he hasn't got custody?