Benefit help

[keepingupwiththejoneses]

I am just about to split from 'h' and am a bit worried about what I am entitled to. I receive carers allowance, as both ds's are disabled, and I don't currently work. I know I will have to do a new claim for tax credits but how long is that likely to take? I am going to be staying in the house so will need to pay the mortgage, how long before I can get some help with that?#
I know this sounds money grabbing, it is not meant to be, I just worried how I am going to keep everything going while it is sorted out. I made a new claim for TC a few years back and it took 3 months to sort out.
The other thing is that we re-mortgaged after a year (2005) of having our mortgage but don't have any paper work so I am worried about that too.

The only thing I've heard of is with regards to the mortgage.
If nothings changed, once you are 9 months in arrears the will pay the interest only for you for a set period. Sorry, not that helpful (if at all!). Someone with more knowledge will come along soon hopefully.

BTW get yourself to a solicitor ASAP. Hope it works out for you.

Thanks, I already have a solicitor in mind and am going to ring them as soon as he leaves. OMG! I have to be 9 months in arrears before I will get any help!

This is what it used to be, but the tories are now in so may be worse I'm afraid! :(

Entitled to, is a really good website, which will give you an idea of what your entitled to and amounts,
in regards to mortgage, is your ex going to continue to pay any of it?
Otherwise can you swap to interest only?

I doubt he will, based on his earnings he only has to pay £5 child support Luckily it is all ready on interest only. Will have a look at that website, thanks.

large I have just found this and it turns out that there where new rules brought in meaning you only have to wait 13 week after claiming benefits, nothing about having to be in arrears, thank god.

Oh brilliant! Good Luck.

That's good keeping, I wish that had been the case when my ex left, I might of kept the house.
I found the citizens advice good too, they helped a lot with money issues.

13 weeks after claiming IS you can claim mortgage assist.

You should be claiming

IS top up
Carers Allowance
Child Tax Credit
Child Benefit
DLA for kids
Council Tax Benefit

CTC takes about a fortnight to sort out. Week to get form, week to process payment.

When you make your IS claim, a lone parent adviser will give you accurate figures if you ask and bring along all your paperwork.

HTH

When my ExH and I separated, I rang my mortgage company and explained and they gave me a 3 month payment break until the benefit kicked in. My ExH barely supports me now, just the same as when we separated over 2 years ago, you do get by. It's tight but you manage. You are getting some good advice here so I won't repeat it

Thank you all. Feeling much better now.

I already get

Child Benefit
Carers Allowance
DLA for kids

So will be able to mange until the rest is sorted out, just all a bit scary especially with 2 boys with behavioural problems that cost a fortune in washing and shoes

tea I will ring and see what they say, don't have any arrears so they might be helpful.

HERE

Tax Credit Rates per annum. Depending on whether your DC get MR Care DLA or HR Care depends on whether you qualify for Disabled Child element or Severely Disabled Child Element. You will automatically get family element and child element as a lone parent.

IS top-up of Carers Allowance is about £30 odd quid extra per week.

Don't forget Council Tax Benefit. You qualify for this too.

PM me if you need any other figures.

HTH

Thanks katie, I have all those on my list. My biggest worry is the re-mortgage, the company has now gone bust couldn't even get copies.