need some advice RE financial support when splitting up

[needhelp11]

have namechanged.

anyways, DH and I have not been getting on for a long time. he is controlling, financially controlling, and verbally + emotionally abusive.

today he hit me for the first time (really hard in my head) and threatened "to break my jaw" the next time. I don't think he would but I am sure many have said that before...

anyways, we have 2 young sons (3 & 5), one of them is is severely disabled. I manage to work p/t and only earn very little.

we have a big mortage (in DP's and my name) - houses in our road have been on the market for 3-4 years and nothing sells round here.

does anybody know if I would qualify for housing benefit if I were to pack up and move out? I know I would on the merit of my rubbish salary but a friend (who used to work as a benefits advisor) told me that I would not qualify for HB as I am legally a home owner. is this the case?

DH will not move out. never. ever.

due to DS's disability, a temporary accommodation is impossible. we either would have to stay in our home (but then, I never could afford the mortgage anyways) or move into another 'proper' accommodation iyswim.

I do not have any other family. it is just me and my boys.

despite what happened today, I am calm and rational. but really need to plan my exit from this marriage.

thanks.

oh, DH does not ear enough to cover our rent (and even if, I doubt he would pay up).

Call the police and report the violence.

seriously, would they do anything? I don't even have a bruise...

and I would still have to sort out the finances - would really need some advice on that... sorry, a bit stressed and in a mess. he hit me totally unprovoked as I was giving a bath to the DC :(

Have a look at the Shelter website (housing/homelessness charity), there's LOTS of information here which is applicable to your situation - this page is a good place to start, but take some time to go through the links to any other pages you feel are relevant.

thanks *fringe"

Actually, let me also leave you a direct link to this page specifically, as I feel this will answer some of your bigger questions and therefore I don't want you to overlook it while you're browsing.

I would. If it was a stranger on the street that did and said those things to you, you would call the police wouldn't you. If nothing else, once you do I can't see it would be anything but helpful to have a record of what happened to you.

thank you!

What your friend has told you is rubbish. If you can not live in your house as you are separated and he lives there then you are entitled to HB, maybe not full HB but a large proportion of it, you will also qualify for TC. Are you claiming DLA for your dc, if so you will need to tell TC at what level they receive they give a supplement based on the level of care element. If you are not claiming, you should be. Contact your local council for more precise details on what you would receive.

have been told I must not have over £16k savings (i dont) or more that £16k equity in the house (i do) otgerwise you cannot claim HB.

council's benefit advisor has a waiting list of nearly 2 months. have an appointment in july.

OP, I can speak from experience in saying that the Police will be extremely helpful. Call them. You can just do the 101 number and then ask to speak to someone about a domestic violence incident.

You mustnt stay in your situation a second longer than necessary. No one will expect you or DC's to stay in a situation like that.