How long does it take for benefits to be sorted?

[harryandmarv]

Currently going through a really crap time again with DH.
I’m seriously considering leaving with the children (12 & 16). The house is in his name and he pays majority of bills, mortgage.
I work part time, very little wage. If I do decided to go, either way he’ll be spiteful & wont make it easy where as I am done with any resentment, I’ve cried enough and had enough. He always said i’d never manage on my own.
I’ve no savings, nothing to my name, no where to go. If I can private rent, the prices are extortionate around here, but I work locally and my youngest is still at school locally so don’t wish to move too far out. I don’t drive so another reason to stay in the area.
Would I get help pretty quickly? what’s my first port of call? Do I find a place first & see if they take housing benefit? Sorry for all the questions, my mind is just all over the place, i’m scared but I can’t continue with the way things are. I don’t even know what i’d do for furniture even if I did get somewhere as he’d say it’s his as he paid for it. I just know he’d make it difficult for me.

The house might be in his name, but if you're married then it's a marital asset. As would potentially anything else that is solely in his name.

I would suggest speaking with a solicitor and get some initial advice before you decide your first steps . Don't move out without getting proper advice.

How long have you been married?

Edit to say: especially if it's a long marriage, 50/50 would be the starting point, and you might find that if you've got lower earning capacity and/or are the main carer, then you could end up with more than a 50/50 share.

You really do need some advice.

Married 18 yrs. Couldn’t afford a solicitor.

Many solicitors offer a free 30 min consultation initially. You need to put every single piece of paper/receipt evidence of payments incomings/outgoings, rent mortgage. Do not leave the property because the council will say you made yourself homeless.

Make yourself a leaving plan.
Increase your independence. Get a better job. Squirrel some savings. Make sure you have control of your own bank account etc.
Make an appointment with CAB - they can talk you through benefits etc. They're not instant but 4-6 weeks time frame. However lots of people won't rent to people on benefits. There's online calculators you can use to see what you'd get. There are also good fb groups about UC.
Read up about divorce. Wiki divorce and the gov website are really helpful. It pays to know as much as possible before you start speaking to a solicitor.
You can apply for the first stage of a divorce online. It's £550 and you can use info on here to write your unreasonable behaviour comments. You can be living in the same house but be separated and claim benefits etc.
This might be the leverage you need to get him to negotiate.
Don't leave the house.