Would I be entitled to ANYTHING at all?

[Goinoutalone]

Hoping someone on here will have more insight or knowledge. I am separating and moving out of the family home to rent. We have 2 dc and we will do 50:50 with them. My rent will be practically half my wage. (40k) will I be eligible/entitled to any help at all. I’m guessing no, but just thought there’s no harm in asking as the government pages are not entirely clear at times. Thank you

Hi OP. On 40 grand I doubt you would be eligible for anything but no harm in asking. Ring the department of Social protection. You're in a tough situation.

Thanks @Blackcatballoon I was thinking that myself to be honest yeah…

You probably will be under the limit for social housing (depends what your Councils limit is) and once on the list can apply for Housing Assistance Payment, BUT the difficulty is finding a landlord that will accept the payment, and on your wage you probably wont get much but every little helps.
If ye own the family home together though i think that will disqualify you

Unfortunately, I really don't think so. Your salary, - plus your half ownership of a home already possibly? - puts you well outside the HAP zone. It is very unfortunate. I separated in almost exactly the same situation as yourself 8 years ago and have said recently that I don't know how I would do that now. I was paying 600 a month a rent, it would likely be at least double that now. Granted my salary was much lower. In terms of other entitlements, there's the single person child carer credit (which only one parent can claim) and of course child benefit, the most advantageous thing for us was for me to keep the CB and he the tax credit as he was much the higher earner. I'm not going to lie, it was very very tough at the time and still is in some ways, even though I bought at a pretty good time and with a settlement from the family home, have managed to keep my mortgage manageable. Running a household on your own as either a renter or owner is always going to be very hard unless you are, I reckon, on at least 80k plus. Just this month alone I have house insurance and tv license due, both of which will, and will continue to be paid 100% by me.

@theleafandnotthetree thank you for that. I guessed as much yeah, the rent is ridiculous but hopefully I won’t need to rent for too long hopefully and I can buy something.

Best of luck, it is a tough road but a great sense of independence and confidence comes from it all too.

You should get child benefit as you earn less than 60k. You should get the maximum as you earn less than 50k. I think it is about £80 per child per month. You may also be able to get help with childcare though I don't know how that works. You should call CAB who will know all that you could get.

Very unlikely that you will be entitled to anything OP. I was in less than you at one stage and got nothing except demands from my ex for his half of the child benefit. Only one of you can claim the tax credit and as 50:50 in Ireland is still very uncommon I don’t think that will be changing anytime soon.

The OP is in Ireland, CB is not means tested and is 140 euro per month per child. I doubt there is any support beyond the universal ones for childcare and think OP also falls outside eligibility for Family Income Supplement (if that's what it's still called?) I looked in to all this when I separated and on an income of high-20s at the time, was not entitled to anything which hasn't been mentioned already..

Thank you all. Yes I get child benefit and that’s a great help. I do also get the universal childcare deductions for their Afterschool care and dh will be paying half those costs too. I’m lucky I have no other payments or debts to be honest. But I know it’s still going to be very tough

The income threshold for housing list for 1 adult and 2 children in dublin is 42000 afaik so there is the possibilty you are eligible and that determines your eligibilty for HAP. As i said you may not gain much with HAP as you ll have to pay the difference between HAP payment and your total rent (and there is a limit to how much your total monthly rent can be) and then a % of your weekly income to the Council, but any little help is a help.
If you do own half the family home that is your big issue

Please make an appointment with Citizens Information or they have a telephone number it is called cips that you can call in the evening and they will be able to tell you if you are entitled to anything at all. I hope you get sorted and before you know it things will be settled again and you can look forward to a peaceful and lovely future.

I'm living with someone who emotionally abused me because he had affairs and wouldn't talk about it when I found out. You are doing the right thing by getting out no matter how difficult it is. I'm older so found it too difficult to leave the home. We have separate bedrooms and for most part occupy different parts of the home. I'm still too dependent on him for my own good. You are doing the right thing in leading your on life.

@Brokenperson
I am sorry you're so sad, so beaten down, your username says it all.
Is there anyone in real life you could talk to ?
Do you have children ?
If so, what age are they and are they aware of your set up ?

@Goinoutalone
Sorry to hear you are in this difficult situation. Do make sure you claim the single parent tax credit - you can easily do this via My Account on revenue website. Not only does it mean more money in your pocket each month, it also increases the amount at which you start paying 40% tax.

Other than that, as PPs have said you can apply to go on the social housing list which will qualify you for HAP.

Best of luck

To Brokenperson So sorry to hear you are going through this but please ring Women's Refuge and talk to somebody as that will do you good. It seems like he has broken you down completely and your confidence is gone. I think the only way you will start to feel more like yourself again is if you make plans to leave and take advise from Women's Refuge as you must be living in a constant stressful situation that will not be doing your mental health any good at all. I hope things improve and please talk to family/friends and do not isolate yourself as thinking of making changes is actually harder than doing it. Look after yourself and do not let this man have any more control over your life.

Thank you @WaveyGodshawk i do own half the family home though so I think that might disqualify me from the housing list. I will hopefully be able to get by, dc’s dad is a good man really and will provide for them also which is helpful. Thank you for your advice.

Oh sorry @Goinoutalone, I must have missed that bit of info!
Should have read the thread properly 🤦‍♀️