seperating but continuing to live in the same house.

[imacowbaggetmeoutofhere]

Just that. Can it be done?

Have a ds aged 2 together, very amicable, just fallen out of love and need the pressure of being in a dead in the water relationship gone.

Neither of us can afford to move out however. Not at the moment anyway.

I'm a stay at home mum, have no income of my own. What do I do until I can find employment?? I'll need to be able to pay my half of bills and rent and things.

So im guessing id apply for benefits? But would I be entitled the same way as an out of work lone parent would be, even though im living in same as house as ex-partner.

Really hoping can someone help, as im so confused. I know what I want and that is to not be in this relationship anymore, but i dont know how to go about it. I feel so trapped!

Bumping

DP did that with his ex for a year whilst they sorted out the divorce and she looked for a new place. From what he tells me it was very stressful for everyone involved and not really to be recommended. His ex had found new bloke who was staying over... Might be worth it for a short time whilst one or other of you looks for a new home.

Re benefits - if you are not married, you can in theory claim them as a lone parent, even if you're in the same house, though you'd need to convince the benefits agency that you've separated. Probably OK as long as you have a spare room or somewhere to move into. If your youngest DC is under 5 you can claim income support, otherwise JSA - which means you need to be looking for work. Both are means tested and you won't get anything if you have over a certain amount in savings (£16,000?). You can get child tax credit though separately which is not means tested. If you move out, you can claim housing benefit to help you pay the rent, and possibly you could beforehand depending who's on the tenancy - I'd get advice from CAB or someone on that one.