Benefits - Novice! Don't know how it works

[FantaIsFine]

Hi wise Mumsnet,

Where is the best place for me to look to carry out some form of assessment around what benefits I might be able to claim if my - er - status were to change and I became a single mother?

Any advice over how it might be calculated/how I qualify or best resources would be very greatly received.

Thank you in advance :-)

To start with your circumstances would be good.
Whether you rent or own your house, how old the kids are, are you working? How many kids? Any disabilities?

There's a calculator on the turn 2 us website that's pretty good.

entitledto.co.uk/ this is pretty accurate, I found. I work 30 hours a week and get a decent amount of tax credits and a little housing benefit. Of course that could all be set to change now that the Tories are back in...

Hi,

Sorry and thanks for quick replies:
3 kids all under 6
I don't work
House owned but I'm not on the mortgage (and I'm in the dark about ALL of the rest of our finances)
No disabilities

Thanks again...!

I'd say in that scenario the generic calculators would be good.
Is your STBX likely to continue to pay mortgage or would you be looking at moving?
You'd qualify for income support if you are living alone, until your youngest starts school then you'd go on JSA. You can claim Child Tax Credit too. If there is rent/council tax to be paid you can claim housing benefit and council tax support but bear in mind you are expected to contribute to the council tax now. You'd also get Child Benefit.

Oh and obviously STBX would be expected to pay maintenance.

Make sure he doesn't find this thread if your situation is at all abusive or might become so.

and you need to find out all the other financial information NOW. Are there debts? Who supplies your utilities? What are your living costs? What money do you have access to?

You haven't said whether you're married or not.
That would make a huge difference to your rights.

Hi, yes I am married. I don't actually know how I'm going to find out some of the financial information.