*bourneville+ - in answer to your question, at the time of my separation (2001), there was about £60k in the house. Yes, a lot of money, but nowhere near enough to buy anywhere else in Portsmouth. The guy at the CAB said that IF I sold up, I'd not get ANY benefits at all - and be put in a bedsit which I'd have to pay for until my savings went below £3k. Then I might get on the council list to get a property. Not exactly what you want to hear when you're suddenly on your own and entirely responsible for two little lives! I wasn't aware of the part purchase you can do with the city (Housing Association?) which would have kept me on the property ladder. But I have struggled through and I just hope I will continue to do so. I know that I'm luckier than some - so I can't complain too much. As for Tax Credits. Hmmmm, well, they've worked out for me so far BUT when I was working - I was told I was not entitled to the working families part because I was earning too much. Yet I was earning no where near as much as a couple who were still getting the credit! You have to be working 16hrs to be entitled to the childcare element - which is a good benefit. The forms are confusing and the statements they send through are even worse. If you do decide to work part time - make sure you find someone to talk through the amounts with you and CHECK ALL THE PAPERWORK they send you. They have been making loads of mistakes recently - and people have found themselves with bills for thousands of pounds overpayment clawback! From my perspective, if I now work, I'll lose benefits and even if I do get tax credits, it wont be enough to cover the mortgage (as it currently stands) - so I can now understand it when some people say they can't afford to work!