Income support, spousal maintenance and mortgage

[YoshimiBTPR]

I wonder if anyone can help? Currently separated, not yet divorced.

My ex is paying the mortgage and related insurance.

I am claiming income support.

Does ex paying the mortgage count as spousal maintenance? Because if so, I shouldn't be claiming income support.

He pays the (joint) mortgage instead of child support and is hoping to release equity in the future so is happy to keep up mortgage payment.

It would be clearer cut if he paid you child maintainance then you paid the mortgage as CM doesn't affect any benefits oddly.
Are you hoping to buy another property in the future? The problem you will have is if the house is old and you get a lump sum of equity, if it is over £16k you won't be entitled to any means tested benefits.

I'm hoping to stay in the house until the children leave school but we haven't got that far in the divorce process.

The mortgage payment is twice what the CSA calculator would determine child maintenance is. If he pays me that amount, can I call it all child maintenance despite the amount?

Yes he can pay as much child maintainance as he wishes, the cms amount is the minimum recommended.

Ok thanks.