Legal Aid

[GoMe]

Hi.
I have had the police involved in my household twice due to my H's drunk abusive behaviour towards me. I have one letter from SS offering support. I am going to see my GP as seek help for the anxiety my H's behaviour is putting me through and to get emotional help for our daughter (7) since she has witnessed a lot of verbal abuse.
I earn less than £1000 per month (my H earns more)
Would I be entitled to legal aid even though I haven't been physically abused?

I am separating, so need Legal Aid for mediation, divorce costs and custody agreement.

Worth posting in legal but my understanding is that in domestic abuse cases (which are documented) yes you are entitled. I don't know if it's also means tested I assume not as in cases of financial abuse you wouldn't have access to the cash?

There are hoops to jump through but evidence from your GP I believe is "proof". As well as Police reports and things like stays in shelters. Some GPs will charge to get whatever evidence it is you need though. Hmm!

Hope someone can confirm my understanding.

Yes, just wondering if the papers the police gave me and the letter I received from SS is enough.
I have over 200 txt messages in the course of 2 days or so with abuse, accusations and insults and I have witnesses but they are his siblings who live in Scotland so I don't think it would be helpful.
Will try and film or record any abuse from now on too.

Are you saying you want legal aid for a divorce? You mention getting help for anxiety and for your DD but it's not clear that you want to divorce him. Assuming 'yes' I would suggest you contact Womens Aid 0808 2000 247, SS and/or the police who were involved previously. Between the three of them they should be able to give you a good steer on what you need to qualify.

Yes divorce.
i have contacted Shelter and Women's Aid and they couldn't help. The council might be able to help but I need to go there and I am going on Tuesday hopefully managing to talk to someone before 11am as I start my work at 11.45. They can't book appointments atm as they are fully booked.
My husband packed all his staff and put the house upside down and told me and Dd he was leaving. Now he has put all back again and told me he is staying.
I try to reason with him but I know that he won't take any action so I will have to do everything on my own. I am not waiting for him to find a place and move, I know he won't do it on his own and I can not help him because I don't trust him and I am done trying to help him or do things for him tbh.

I have just received a recommendation for a family solicitor in the area so on Tuesady I am going to the council and any day of the week to a solicitor's appointment, I will book tomorrow. On Monday I am going to see my GP and ask for help for my anxiety and DD's emotional needs.

If he's turning your house upside down and refusing to leave at the same time, that's the time to get the police involved again.

I am not claiming any benefit on my name yet because we are still leaving together in the same jointly rented accommodation. Can I still claim?? I am currently sleeping in my daughter's bedroom and husband and I have NO physical contact and limited interaction unless necessary.

I haven't called the police again because I was trying to resolve things peacefully. Even though he was unreasonable, unpleasant and verbally abusive I didn't feel physically threatened. I never let my phone go though, in case I needed to call.

Now the house is back to normal as apparently he is staying and thinking about finding a 1 bedroom for himself. I am not willing to wait and I don't believe is going to happen as he is used to have everything handed on a plate, ugh.

He didn't turn the flat upside down in one go. Over the course of 5 days he moved/packed staff. Now it is all back

Trying to keep things amicable when you're faced with a bully is not a good strategy. You need some big guns and you need evidence of abusive behaviour if you're going for the legal aid ticket. Don't put yourself at risk but don't tippy toe around him either. Zero tolerance, police on the spot at the slightest hint of trouble and make your case.

You can potentially apply for single person benefits whilst living under the same roof but there are some pretty strict criteria

Did a quickly google search and will call Tax Credits tomorrow and see if I can apply to anything.

H now wants all the bills shared equally until one of us moves out.

He forgot that for 7 years he had all the time in the world to work in his shift job, not having a pattern of days off or finishing time and took advantage of me staying at home to go to the pub whenever and for how long pleased him, whilst when my maternity leave finished, I had to take my daughter to my work places (as a nanny/nursery worker) and finally became a CM since I couldn't count on him to share childcare with me.
Now I work school hours and do extra work on school holidays + some ad hoc and this is still not good enough.
Apparently I never contributed and did nothing all day all these years.
He pays more because he earns more and spends more.
And his has all the time in the world to do whatever he wants.