Universal Credit

[Sashbashh]

Good Evening,

I am wondering if someone could help me?

Me and my partner are looking at separating, we both jointly own our home if I was to move out of the home and private rent, would I be entitled to claim universal credit? I would no longer pay towards the mortgage. I would also be taking my 3 year old with me.

Thank you,

Hiya recently put in a similar situation. Best thing to do is use a calculator on the .gov website and apply when you know your housing costs.
Don't delay in applying as it takes 5 weeks and they don't actually tell you what you'll get so its a bit nerve wracking.
Never claimed benefits before either. Citizens advice would also be useful but if you're worrying go on a calculator and see x

I hope you're seeing a solicitor about divison of assets. Get some advice!

X

Thank you, I did that turn to us calculator and it says I would be entitled as I put yes to the question I have moved out the home I own due to relationship breakdown but it’s so daunting! You just don’t know if these calculators are correct! I haven’t found a house yet and I am now worried if I find one claim and they go nope actually you can’t claim :/

You can claim, and they'd disregard your share of the house for a short time, but you will have to take steps to obtain your share. So either he'll have to buy you out or the house will have to be put up for sale.

Thank you so much that’s really helpful x

Yes. You will be given time to sell your house. Is that your plan.

Yes that would be the plan to sell up! Thank you

Do you live in an expensive area? Could you actually afford childcare and housing costs alone?. You can call CAB for advice and they will help you do a UC calculation.

I wouldn't rush to leave the home OP.

If I have done my calculations correctly on the benefit calculator I should be fine! Thank you I’ll try and give them a call

UC give you 6 months to sell the property after you move out without it affecting your award. If you receive equity from your joint property after the sale UC will count this as savings after 6 months from sale date, so you need to buy another property in that time. If you struggle to get a mortgage you could look at part buy, part rent as UC will probably pay the rent part and you can use your equity for the buy bit. HTH.