Universal Credit for single mum with full-time job

[PurpleYoyo]

Hi all,

My partner and I are separating after 15 years. We are not married and have two small children in school. The separation is very amicable and our main priority is the well-being of the children. The house we live in at the moment is under his name and if we sell it we’ll end up buying two small shitty places where none of us will be happy to live. We’d love to keep the current house where the kids can live with him, and rent another similar one where they can live with me. Since we are not married and I will be a single mother, I wonder what benefits I can get in order to help with the expenses. I have a full-time job and will need help towards the rent and childcare. I’ve never claimed benefits before and have no idea who to ask and what I can apply for considering my situation.

Your advice will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Have a look at the benefits calculator.

benefits-calculator.turn2us.org.uk/AboutYou

You need to ascertain where the children will be primarily resident. Is the child benefit in your name?

Hi yes,

The benefits will be on my name and we'll share kids 50/50.

If the kids are mainly resident with him and registered at that address for school , drs etc then you will not be able to claim UC for them. In theory you may be entitled to half the house if it's a long term relationship, so I 'm really not sure if the DWP would be expecting you to get some equity from the house if you aren't going to be living there.