housing benefit

[bagelsandcheese]

I'm thinking of leaving partner who can be abusive.
if he refuses to leave and I go and he stays in family home can I still claim housing benefit or will I not be able to as still on the mortgage? being trying to Google but can't find any information.

Well assuming you own half the house he will need to buy you out or sell and the equity split. You would need to claim Universal credit. They will disregard the equity in the house for up to six months I think if it is up for sale. In the longer term you can't just own half a house then claim help to rent elsewhere. I do not know if there are special rules in the cases of abuse. maybe speak to womens aid or similar.

^ That is correct. It can be disregarded for 26 weeks if part of a divorce dispute also. The 26 weeks can be extended in certain circumstances. Occasionally if you walk away, this must be done legally- meaning you forfeit any financial interest in the house then your benefits wouldn’t be affected. If you get half the house the savings are taken into account, which would mean benefit is cancelled. You live on the proceeds until the money is reduced. I’m not sure what the current savings limit is under UC.

As far as special consideration for abuse, it has to be at the threshold for police intervention, not just a rude and manipulative spouse.

You best option is to work out likely equity and if very little after selling costs get a court order to walk away

If there is no equity in the house or very little, so you effectively come out of the settlement with not a lot, you would still get UC though.
If you have over 16k in savings you cannot claim UC. For every £250 over 6k, your monthly Uc would be reduced by £4.35.