Need advice for friend wanting to leave her EA husband

[fledtoscotland]

What does she need to do and in what order? He's refusing to leave the house. Two DC (one primary age and the other at nursery ). She doesn't work - he wanted to be main earner so she quit her career for his. He's earning a v good income but works long hours for it. She hadn't any family to stay with and our house is bursting at the seams for more than one night.

What does she need to do
financially ? Can she apply for housing benefit now and find a private rent? Can she apply for benefits (and which ones) while under same roof as a single parent?

She needs to get advice from various sources. A solicitor isn't a bad start as they can outline what her rights are as a married woman with DCs in the event of a divorce. CAB and the local housing authority can advise her about benefits, housing and other help. Womens Aid is an excellent information resource for women wanting to escape abusive relationships. If there is any hint that his emotional bullying could turn into physical bullying she needs to take great care to keep herself safe and keep her plans close.

Thanks cognito. I've suspected things weren't right for a while but she's confirmed it today. I suspect he's physically abusive although she denies it.

Can she contact hmrc and get the ball rolling as a LB before she leaves? He earns over the CB threshold so she has no money apart from what he gives her

If you even suspect he's physically abusive, please tell her to contact Womens Aid because that changes things considerably. There are lots of things she could do to get the ball rolling but it may be that she needs to get herself and her DCs away and safe as the first priority.