Benifits - What will I be entitled to?

[MummyJules]

I am in the middle of going through a seperation with my partner(he is not aware I am leaving him and won't be until I leave)
I am planning on renting privately as the waiting list for council accomodation is years long. I just wondered as a single mum to a 3 yr old dd, who doesn't work (have applied for uni for this Sept) what I would be entitled to. I am going to the CAB this afternoon - Are they any specific questions I should ask? I am so nervous about having to go through it all on my own (have never lived on my own before) but I just can't stay in this relationship anymore. Hope someone can offer some advice!

Thanks

AS a single parent, you will be entitled to the usual Income Support, Child Benefit, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit and Council tax credit.
THese will change if you go to uni as you will get a student loan and that means no IS.
I would ask about pushing through for a council place, less money for benefits to pay out.
Find out all the cheapest utility companys to save yourself some money as It is not a lot to live on.
If you have any questions feel free to ask as I have been a single parent on benefits for a couple of years now.

Thanks Spursmum - Could you tell me roughly how much money that will be? (Obviously I know it depends on the area but would be good to have a rough idea)

IS is £55.65 per week, CB is £17 per week but due to go up to £17.45 in april, CTC should be around £38 per week. See not a lot is it? All of your Council tax should be paid but depending on how much your rent wil be, they may only pay most of it with you paying a small contribution.
HTH

No its not alot but then I am really not sure what I will have to pay for etc - having never lived on my own!

Any expertise of the things I need to be thinking about?

if ur moving into private rented u will have to make sure the landlord will except benefit as not many private rented places do i get £55.56 income support £45 something child tax credit and £17.00 child benefit plus council tax and housing benefit, u will aslo get dentist and eye care free hope it all works out for u good luck

I have to pay for gas and electric weekly or as needed on key and card metre, tv licence £5.50 fortnight and then shopping and whats left somethimes not alot i use for treats for dd5 hope thisis of some help

and when u move out u may be able to get a community care grant from social security to pay for furniture bedding etc which u wont have to pay back so then u dont have to take much if anything with u when u leave. I have lived on my own for nearly 4yrs after being in a 6yr relationship, it was hard at first but now its great im sure u will be fine u sound like u know what u want