What next?

[ilovelamp82]

Not sure if this is the best place to post this but I'm looking for some advice. I am a sahm to 2 ds' 2yo and 2wo. My dh and I have decided ro seperate. We are married, living in a shared ownership house which is just in my dh's name. We have no disposable income so although I would love to stay in the house, I take it that I am not going to be entitled to benefits to effectively pay his mortgage. So unwillingly I think I will have to be the one who moves. I think I will move up north to be near my sister so I will be near some emotional support.

My question is what do I do next? I feel a bit alone as believe it or not I don't know anyone that has been in this position to ask for advice from and my parents have passed away. This is all a bit overwhelming and I don't really know what to do next. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

This isn't exactly the festive period with my newborn I was hoping for.

its sad,but you will be happier if its not working out. do you have savings? how will you move? and how will dc have good contact with dad?

No savings unfortunately. Been plugging our way through paying off debt. I assume hire a truck. My sister lives about an hour and a half away. My dh works
long hours so I presume would only be able to see them on the weekend anyway. We both drive. My dh will be ok driving to me and I would be fine driving the kids here too. Or once the little one is a bit older even meeting in the middle.

Could you have some applications from the local housing from the area you would like to be in, posted out to you? Or are you looking to rent privately.

You could also phone the tax credits and things to get those in place now so you wont be waiting for it to all come through.

Get all of that sorted asap.

Sorry you are going through this x

I really don't know anything. Are you entitled to financial help to rent privately? Who would I ring to get tax credits? Sorry to sound so stupid but I really don't knowanything and my head is a mess.

Find a house/flat first (with a landlord that accepts housing benefit). You can't apply for benefits (income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, tax credits) until you are actually in the situation. You will need a deposit for house/flat (usually a months rent) plus a months rent in advance.
It's a lot quicker going for a private rent rather than waiting for council accommodation.

hmrc for tax credits
LEA forhousing/council tax benefit....ask if they run a rent assist scheme
csa formaintenence if he wont provide

you don't sound like you would be a prioriy for social housing though. go on some lists anyway,but look at rentals in area you want to be in. would your sister be a guarantor?

Thanks very much. I'll look all this up now. So frustrating. I just want to sit and cuddle my little boy and pretend all this isn't happening. But I realise that's not going to achieve much.

It's worth contacting Shelter www.shelter.org.uk to find out about your options - they can also advise about benefits.