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Lone parents

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Me and now ex-dp broke up this morning...what do I need to do? (housing, money etc etc....) v.long post

6 replies

redhappy · 02/06/2010 14:33

We moved into a rented house on the 1st may, have 6 month contract. Wont go into why and how we broke up just now! but anyway, it's permanent.

He doesn't want this house, but neither do I, I think? It has 3 bedrooms, £695 per month. We have 2 children, preschoolers, so I am entitled to 2 bedroom house (about £540 per month round here). We went for a 3 bed because the ex-dps older kids stay at weekends.

The house is in his home town....there is another town about 5 miles away that I was living in when we met, it has a university there, which I wanted to go to in September to finish my degree (only half a year to do, didn't finish before due to pregnancy). We have just moved back here from my home town, where we lived for a year, I had all my family around me etc.

So, on paper it looks really obvious that I should move to the university town, finish degree then decide whether to stay or move on somewhere else, but my mum is guarantor for this house. It's a beautiful house, but far to bug for the 3 of us. I think maybe I'm still feeling intimidated and trying to keep the peace by letting him get what he wants.

Sorry for that ramble, just need outsider's perspective, as still in house together and difficult to think clearly about what really is fair!

What do I do about tax credits etc?
What I'm most worried about is being stuck in a house I can't afford, getting massively into debt, not being able to move (no deposit etc), not being able to finish my degreee, then never being able to provide for my family....
Phew! I spose I'm quite normal really.

If anybody can offer me the benefit of their experience I would be soooo grateful!
Who do i need to tell and in what order? How long will benefits etc take? am I going to need to rely on ex-dp for money whilst they are processed? How can I afford to move?

Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
DutchGirly · 02/06/2010 15:33

Contact the Tax Credit Office NOW to advise of changed circumstances and have the money paid into your own bank account.

Apply for housing benefit now, you can always say you have moved out but at least you get the ball rolling.

redhappy · 02/06/2010 15:40

Can I claim as a lone parent whilst we are still under the same roof? (but not in a relationship of course)

OP posts:
redhappy · 02/06/2010 15:41

It's paid to me already by the way. have about £300 in the bank and about 2weeks of food in the house so can cope for a little while how long will it take before payments?

OP posts:
DutchGirly · 02/06/2010 15:44

Payments can take a while to come through so you need to contact them NOW.

I think you CAN claim whilst he is still living there, but please do check. Pack all his belongings in suitcases or something so it is clear he is about to move out.

thesunshinesbrightly · 03/06/2010 09:56

Don't think housing benefit will do anything till your ex has moved out and all his stuff is gone at least that is what i was told so may apply to the others to.

flabbyapronbelly · 03/06/2010 22:54

when this happened with me recently the tax credit people kept asking me when the relationship ended, not the date he moved out, so think they go with that

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