Benefits after divorce? No idea...

[minxthemanx]

Divorce going through after years of unhappy marriage. We've both got solicitors and have used mediation tongrt and sort everything. DH is moving out to rented house next month (has been v resistant and wants to sell house but both DS have medical conditions and they don't need the stress of moving now.) We have another mediation meeting coming up where we need to finalise money etc into formal agreement. I've read on MN about tax credits/Benefits....I've no idea where to start as have always assumed I earn too much. Salary 31k, but obviously was double that when married. DS2 gets small amount of DLA for epilepsy as needs a lot of supervision. DS1 had brain injury years ago which still requires many hospital visits but not entitled to DLA. Does my income of 31k mean I'm not eligible to any tax credits etc? I've no idea where to start.

A quick look says that you'd be entitled to roughly £125 in child tax credits and child benefits per week. You'll also get a 25% discount in your council tax.

Why was your salary halved when you split up?

She means she no longer rely on ex wages.

Ah. So the household income halved. Not her salary. makes sense.

Plus you'll potentially get child maintenance. Obviously you'll only get these things whilst your youngest is under 19. Have you thought about how you'll manage afterwards? Whats your pension situation?

Can you afford the house on your own ? Have you any childcare costs ?

Sorry didn't give enough info. The bulk of our mortgage finishes next summer; monthly payments until then are 980 a month. Then it Will go down to 300 for another 4 years which was further borrowing for extension. Am anticipating DH will pay just under half mortgage until next summer but we'll have to sort all that out in mediation. If push comes to shove my monthly income would just about cover mortgage and bills but not much else. Which is why I wondered about tax credits once single parent, but have always assumed I earn too much to qualify. I've been part time (2 or 3 days a week) up until last year due to DC medical apts etc, wasn't feasible to work full time. Last year went to 4 days, now going to full time.

No childcare costs, DS are 17 and 13.

I've just had cash equivalent pension info through (it took 4 months ) and that's 200k. His pension info still isn't through. I've no clue what happens with the pensions and didn't intend touching it until I retire which at this rate will be age 80.

You need to go on entitledto and fill in your details it should give you a fair idea of what you can expect. As the resident parent you should keep child benefit and yy to getting single person council tax discount from the second he moves out.

Think all new claims are universal credit now.

You definitely need to think about how you'll manage without any additional child related money then. You've got 5 years. I actually think you're not in a bad position although obviously you should insist on pension equality. You shouldn't get less in pensions just because you did the unpaid childcare for years.

It will be universal credit now not tax credits. You can use the gov UC calculator and also sites like Entitledto. Is the DLA the right rate? There are disability elements to tax / UC - I only just qualify for the main tax credits but get a lot via the disability elements. You can apply now if you are living separately within the same house. Gingerbread charity has info as does disability charities like Contact. It sounds like you should be getting middle rate for epilepsy and lower for other child. It might be worth reapplying for DLA as I get middle rate for a child with a similar medical condition. Local carers charities often have a benefits adviser who can help with applications.

Go to your local CAB and they will do a benefits check with you. As a new applicant you will need to apply for Universal Credit

You can check what you'd get here ---- >>>>

https://www.uceplus.co.uk/how-much-will-my-payment-be.html

Just seen your update. Use entitledto to type in different salary amounts. I find when tax credits are taken into account I am only about £100 month better off working more hours which for me isn’t worth it as I have to attend lots appointments etc If you can work full time great as it protects your pension but the tax credits do compensate quite a bit if you can’t due to disabled children. Also depending if your ex is doing overnights during the week you may be able to compress your hours into fewer days. Also see what you will get when your oldest is 18 as DLA etc will change then. Contact has info on whether a disabled 18 year old can claim UC themselves eg while at uni. Some can. Also disabled students allowance / PIP etc

You've been a massive help, thanks. I wasn't really expecting anything as even feel guilty claiming the DLA - a friend put me on to it due to DS2's epilepsy. But I will go to CAB and check those websites.

If you have savings under 16k then you will be entitled to UC. Use the gov.uk website and apply quickly....it takes 6weeks!

And it starts from when you apply not from when you first split so get it applied for
Nothing is backdated