Financial help after leaving partner

[MamaE03]

I have left my partner after 7 weeks of him not contributing to bills causing me to use my savings to pay the bills as i only work part time. I have just discovered he has been using all his money on drugs. The past 7 weeks its been excuse after excuse of why he cant give me money or can only spare £50.

Due to the amount he earns we have not recived universal credit but have a joint account open, the statements are allways £0 but we kept it open incase my ex had to take time out of work which would leave us short as he has a health condition.

Do i start a new claim or take him off the claim?

My rent is due tomorow which im having to pay out of savings leaving me with about 2k savings so I would get by untill the next period in universal credit but then thats draining my savings on just living which makes me upset as i worked hard to have savings for them to qwickly go down on just living.

We have a 1 year old son together, I wount be relying on ex for any money.

Is there any sort of imediate help I can recive? My fridge and cubords are empty as I havent been food shopping for 2 weeks or do I just take more money from savings to get basics.

Talk to your health visitor and they should be able to make you a referral to the food bank.
Contact universal credit ASAP as I think they do advances but I don’t know much about them.

Well done for getting out btw

You need to apply to the child maintenance service

@Helpstopthepain are you ok to use the food bank if you have £2k in savings?!!

How can you call it 'savings' and not just money to live off if you have empty cupboards and fridge?

Savings are for rainy days and this sure sounds like a rainy day. Use this money to buy food. You’re in a very stressful situation and having no food will surely add to this stress. You should be seeking maintenance for your child from your ex going forward. Please try to avoid the “i don’t need anything from him” route. He has a legal and moral obligation to maintain his child. Best of luck. It’s a very difficult time for you but you will get through it

Change your claim to a single claim
And use your savings to buy food

@KeyboardWorriers no idea

You need to close your joint account before he runs up a huge overdraft for which you will also be liable.
While you have a joint account you are connected to him financially and his financial conduct will affect your credit score.

Freeze or close the account.

Download the olio App
Collect free food.

I agree ensure you are seperated financially.

Use your savings for food, nappies, electric.

Put a claim in with the cms.

Contact universal credit.

Please do not use a foodbank. They are for those who don't have money to buy even a tin of beans.

You have money, whether you call it savings and it must be galling to watch that dwindle through no fault of your own, bottom line is you have money to live on at the moment.

Could you leave and temporarily move in with family?

Is the tenancy in both names. Contact the landlord and give notice to quit/ explain what’s happened.

Savings is just money no matter what you call it. You have money. I appreciate that you wanted to use it for something else but that’s what life is like sometimes. You are lucky/smart to have the cushion.