Can she get any help?

[MumOfAToddler26]

My mum is in a loveless and unhappy marriage and she is so low and I think depressed as she doesn't know what to do. She wants to leave but has nothing, no money and has ill health (copd and asthma) so she doesn't work.
I want to help but I don't know where to start, she is so very unhappy and wants to leave and start a fresh.
Does anyone know if she can get any help? Financially or is there something in place for people in this situation?
Thank you I don't know what to do 😭 x

How old is your mother. Could she approach housing and ask about over 50's accommodation.

Does she have equity in the house?

Look at turn2 us website about benefits she maybe able to claim.

If she is working age then she could claim Universal credit if her savings are below 16k. Is the house jointly owned?

Can you tell us a bit more about her current situation. Is she claiming any benefits at the moment, whats her house situation and how old is she.

She can get UC.

First things first, she should claim PIP if she is not already doing so. It would be wise for her to contact her local Citizens Advice for help to claim it. Info about PIP here:
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/sick-or-disabled-people-and-carers/pip/
She can claim PIP now, whether or not she decides to leave, but if she does leave, having PIP will help.

Secondly, she needs information about the marital finances - you say that she has nothing, but presumably her husband has something. Income, savings, pension. Do they rent or own their house? If there are any assets, even if they're all in his name, she is entitled to a share and should seek legal advice. She could ask her local citizens advice as they should be able to tell her about any solicitors and law clinics offering a free consultation.

Her benefit entitlement and housing options will depend on her circumstances, but we can advise here if you tell us more, or (again) she could contact Citizens Advice.

Under 65s can open a PIP claim, the over 65s can't. (Although they can claim attendance allowance if they qualify.)
Unless both parents have no assets, your mum is entitled to half in a divorce.

Yes I was assuming that she's under 65 but it's true she might not be. In which case it would be Attendance Allowance instead, as you say.

(Based on the OP's username, I think it is likely that her mum is under 65, but just a guess obvs.)

Sorry for the lack of information!
Yes she's 54.
They rent the current property so unfortunately don't own it.
She doesn't claim anything at the moment as her husband had been working in a well paid job until the last year or so when work dried up so money has slowly been drying up.
X

They may well be eligible for Universal Credit, then. They will need to make a joint claim but if and when she decides to end the relationship, it would be reasonably straightforward to switch to a single claim.

She and he would both have the right to stay in the home so they'd have to reach an agreement about who stays and who leaves - or if they couldn't agree then go to court and get an occupation order.

Any abuse or just very unhappy?

Thanks for the replies everyone some great knowledge here I had no idea about some of these things.
AnotherEmma - No abuse, just very unhappy they've tried to make it work and he just shows no love, affection or care towards her and she feels like she is just there to cook, clean and tidy up after him. He had an affair a couple of years ago so things haven't been the same since then even thought she thought she could move on but he never really made an effort after that which he said he was going to. I think it's now more a marriage of convenience x

Your poor mum
Hope she can find the courage to end it. With your support I'm sure she will get there.

Is a job completely out of the question?

I agree, COPD and asthma alone wouldn't prevent a job unless it is severe, so if she is counting on benefits she needs to ascertain that her conditions would make incapable of doing any work. PIP can be avoided to whatever the household income. Has she ever tried to claim?

She is still young and would she like to find herself a job and be financially independent. Is she able to work then look at renting her own place. Is he agreeing to a divorce or helping her out financially.

She needs to be prepared to get a job. Unless her breathing is so bad that she's on oxygen, it generally isn't a reason not to work. I would suggest she looks for something now (lots available in supermarket sectors) to build her self confidence and get her a bit of money before she leaves.

It's a difficult situation. Unless she isnt medically capable of working then she will need to be looking for employment in order to claim benefits AFAIK as she is under retirement age. She should get some housing benefit and help with council tax. Good idea to start looking for something before she leaves.

No she won't get housing benefit.
She will have to claim universal credit which can include the housing element if the claimant is eligible.

@mineofuselessinformation

Under 65s can open a PIP claim, the over 65s can't. (Although they can claim attendance allowance if they qualify.) Unless both parents have no assets, your mum is entitled to half in a divorce.

Sorry that's not true its PENSION AGE not 65 state pension age at the moment is 66