Would I be entitled to much help?

[YaB]

In a nutshell, partner cheated so we’ve separated. I get DLA for DD and carers allowance, she has an EHCP.

I know there’s UC but I’ve never claimed before so no idea what I’d be entitled to. I can’t stay in family home as it’s rented and it’s too much.

I can’t ask anyone as I don’t know anyone in this exact situation.

I own a one bed flat that I rent out so that classes as income so I can’t work at the moment due to my child’s SEN. Think special unit at school

Can anyone advise please?

TIA

can you get a part time job? both of mine are disabled, special schools, Ehcp. I work half days. it's really tough as I get no time to myself but I financially it makes a difference.
I also think you need to move into the flat. otherwise it counts as asset and if you have more than 16k in assets, you cannot claim UC at all. Dad should also pay maintenance for the child.

If your child attends school there’s no reason you can’t work. We have a child with profound SEN, at specialist school, and we have jobs. You’d be much better off working because it gives you something that isn’t just caring responsibilities to focus on.

So if you need to live in the flat you need to give your tenants notice. There's a particular type of notice that applies if you have put it in the tenancy agreement, which I think means you can take possession under section 8 instead of section 21.

Do you belong to the NRLA? (residential landlords' association)? If not join ASAP and then you can get all the correct advice you need to give notice to the tenant safely and legally. They can also put you in touch with specialist agents who can sell the property with the tenant in situ, if that's of interest.

It's nice you're mindful of your tenants, but at the end of the day you have to prioritise yourself. As has been said you won't be eligible as is because of the capital you have, let alone the income from renting. Look into how to follow the eviction process lawfully, move into the flat and then you can apply.

That's a sweeping statement. It really depends on the situation, what if they need lots of time off for appointments? Or childcare is unsuitable? Or regularly need collection from school in the day?

I have a disabled son , he can't go to childcare and we have no extended help. He sometimes meltdowns and can take an hour to get to school. He has gastrointestinal issues that require medical attention. He occasionally needs picking up early due to not coping.
Do I work?
Yes I work 10-2 Tuesday, 10-5 Friday and Saturday morning . I can do that because dh works half day Friday and is off Saturday. His work can be flexible so he can pick up when I'm at work if needed and make time up.
I've been very lucky to find a job with hours that happen to work for us. I still claim carers to boost my income.

It's not straightforward and if I was a single parent with no dad involved I wouldn't be able to work.

I'm the same as you OP, unfortunately owning a property makes it so hard.
Even so moving to a 1 bed with child is probably not suitable? But that's the only way to get help as it's seen as an asset

When I did the calculations; living in my own property, working PT with 1 disabled child would have entitled me to a lot of money UC - Around 3k a month (dla/wages/uc top up)
I was going to sell my flat and buy a 2 bed to live in

I can't quite a quote on the app

But you said you can't work as will take you over the 151 earning amount

So

You can work but means you will lose some of your Benefit - but means your wages will make up the diff

Same happened to me friend. Has dla for her daughter plus she's a carer for her

But if earns over the 151 as she does some weeks she the. Loses /reduces the carer element

@YaB I am in a very similar position to you.

The DWP didn't count my rental as income as I used to live in it and it was only one property (as in I'm not a landlord with multiple properties). They therefore said I was still entitled to carers allowance.

@YaB you also can earn more than £151 a week on carers as long as taking off childcare and double the difference in pension payments brings you down to £151/week or less.

So, if you earned £160/week and paid £19 a week into your pension, then you would still be entitled to Carers Allowance.

Also, if you're a carer to a disabled child, then they don't expect you to work on UC.

I work part time but there is a tipping point where I just cannot cope if I go past 18 hours a week because of medical appointments, my child's needs, the daily therapy, running the home, looking after my own wellbeing etc

So you could work you just don’t want to lose carers? I think you need to take a step back here, you’re not going to get help from UC at the moment because you have a large amount of money in a flat that you own outright. You’re in a good position as you can live in the flat mortgage free, take that opportunity, many don’t have that. You also get DLA, and if you got a part time job you could earn more than the carers money you get.

They will rent somewhere else, surely?

Homeowners were able to claim fortunes in tax credits for years and can still claim UC now in the right circumstances so it’s not a huge leap to think OP would be entitled to something. She tried to do the right thing by investing in a rental property and supporting herself financially. Presumably she could have spent the money she used on a flat on holidays instead and then when she found herself in difficulty she’d be entitled to go to the top of the council housing list and would get all the benefits she needs. The system is fucked.

Or you could look at it that she did the good thing and invested in a rental property, and now she needs help she has a safety net she’s built herself. Rather than being put on a years long waiting list for housing and probably ending up in temporary accommodation for years she will be able to move into her own flat and live mortgage free. That is a really good position, and once living in it she will probably be entitled to some UC help.