Single Parent

[HA93]

I am going through separation and have moved into my parents along with my 4 yo son. I earn 27/28k and when spoken with a solicitor I was told to apply for universal credit however I received a statement today stating I’m entitled to nothing. I receive child benefit. I receive no maintenance currently from his dad. I work full time and pay £580 per month for childcare costs. I don’t understand why there is no help for people like me, I have zero savings and when the house is sold because it is shared ownership I will maybe have £4,000. Given current renting prices how on earth is this manageable to women who are on their own trying to pay housing costs and wanting to stay in work full time. I have a little amount of debt which is currently manageable. There must be other mums who have been in my position? Advice needed please x

You'll likely be entitled to help once your renting. It's your current lack of housing costs that will have given a nil award.

I think you will be eligible for help with childcare costs too. My childcare bill is double yours, and my salary is also double and I get about half of my childcare paid. I am not expert, but it could be because you are at your parents. Play around with the entitled to website and put in a scenario where you are renting and paying childcare and it should give you a representation of what you might be eligible for in the future.

Check what elements are listed on your statement. My first statement came through as zero because they hadn't included my children or any of the elements related to them. There was some kind of delay with the checks they do to verify children exist and live with me. I contacted them and they reissued the statement with them on a few days later.

When you said you owned a house, did you say how you don't live in it and you're in the process of selling it?
Did you share your childcare expenses?
You won't be entitled to money for rent as living with family doesn't count, but I earn more than you and get some of my childcare paid and I also live with my parents. Could you contact citizens advice and have a talk?
Also, if you choose to rent in the future they would support with the rent.

You should be getting some help. As others have said check your statement. You should have single element, child element and childcare element. Then a big chunk of your earnings ( around £670 ) is completely disregarded ( work allowance) before earnings reduce your total UC. You need to check it's been correctly calculated. Have you asked for the property you own to be disregarded if it is on the market?