New to UC idea

[LB1291]

Good morning.

I have recently separated from my husband and am moving to a privately rented property.

We had a house which he is staying in, but my name was not on the mortgage nor did I pay any bills. I work full time now and earn a measly £25k for my first year in this position, but I love it.

My rent is going to be almost £2k a month. Sadly this cost/area is needed due to children’s schools and my work. Ex husband has said he will help with this a considerable amount until my salary increases.

In all honesty, I had never considered help from the government as I assumed it was only there for disability or those out of work. But the cost of living alone scares me so I had a look at the calculator, which stated I may be entitled to over £1000 a month? Is this correct? I have no savings but will be given money from him and the house sale in the next 5/8 years. Is anyone else in a similar situation who receives the same from UC?

I don’t see that I will need it for years, but until my salary increases it would really help save us from beans on toast every night!

thank you

Your home is a marital asset regardless of your name being on the bills/mortgage so it will be discounted for UC purposes but only for 6 months. After that it is a home you are not living in and so equity if over 16k will mean you are not entitled to UC.

Oh really? Even if I technically own none of it and the divorce is going through to that effect?

The calculators are known to be incorrect. Also @Lollytea655is correct its a martial asset, you can only claim uc for 6 months.

Unless you were married for a very short amount of time you do “own” part of it, and if you choose not to go after what you rightfully (and legally) are owed in divorce then that will be seen as deprivation of assets and so again, you will not get UC.

Nonsense.

If @LB1291 is co-owner then they've an asset that may affect UC. The question is who is named as the owner on the Land Registry. If not on the mortgage you're probably not on the Land Register but that's what counts.

If they are a co-owner then there are disregards in Sch 10 of the UC Regs while their share is sorted.

If the OP divorces their husband and in the ancilliary proceedings shows they've a beneficial interest then UC might be affected. Again though there will be potential disregards until they've actually got the cash.

As above @Lollytea655 is talking bollox.

I do wish people with no knowledge, or those getting judgmental about benefit claimants, would stay off these threads.

There's a thread going on right now where the OP may have to pay back 30k in UC payments for the exact same reason as the scenario you are proposing so I wouldn't advise it. If you're married then the house is an asset and you get the 6 months grace period but after that you're expected to live off what you're entitled to from the house whether you take it or not.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/money-matters/5413280-uc-want-all-my-money-back?

If you are married they you part own the marital home whether you are on the deeds or mortgage or not. Perhaps talk to Citizens Advice first.

You’ve got a shit solicitor OP. My mum had an “amicable” divorce. Flirty years later he’s sitting in clover while I help pay her electricity bills she’s so poor

Be careful with this OP, if the house is legally yours it may mean you aren’t eligible as you have equity in a home you don’t live in. Do plenty of research to make sure you make the right call either way.

Apply for UC and just answer the questions honestly about the matrimonial home. UC will then advise what to do. The problem with the other thread is they did not follow the advice the disregard of property for UC only lasted 6 months and did not apply to extend it. UC will expect you to get your equity out of the home asap not in 5-8 years. They will expect your ex to buy you out or the property to be sold. They will extend ignoring the capital beyond 6 months if there is evidence you are progressing with sale etc.

They were trying to give advice, this is mumsnet not citizens advice. There is no need to be so rude to people.

The point is that people wanting advice really hope they're dealing with people who understand the subject.

Talking about 'marital assets' is way off the mark.

If calling it what it is, nonsense, is rude I'll wear the badge with pride!!

Saying someone is incorrect or even nonsense isn’t as rude as saying someone is talking bollocks and should stay off the thread. But sure, take pride in being pointlessly rude to strangers online if that’s your thing, I’m sure that bit of your post really helps out the OP 👍

I'm sorry if I caused offence.

I do benefits advice, currently focussed on claims for UC, as paid work.

The assertion that a home where you're not a part owner is a 'marital asset', whatever that means, giving you capital so you can't claim UCis plain wrong.

Why is calling that out as 'nonsense' when that's exactly what it is rude?

I already answer that.