Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Original poster

Housing Benefit

20 replies

Hotwaterbottle1 · 02/10/2016 19:29

Posting in here for traffic. Posted before about being separated but living together. Things got awful today and I left after him bring intimidating. At my parents. Kids still at home. If I rent somewhere will I still get housing benefit if my name still on mortgage? We can sell yet until some building work is done. I'm desperate for advice please?

OP posts:
cheesecadet · 02/10/2016 19:37

Yes. I do :)

Iamdobby63 · 02/10/2016 19:54

I don't know, although it sounds hopeful from the poster above.

How long until building work is finished, have you hired builders?

Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 02/10/2016 20:01

Thanks cheese.

No my stbex is doing it... Or supposed to be 😕

OP posts:
Iamdobby63 · 02/10/2016 20:07

And he doesn't want to separate? I think you do need to push this forward so renting,if you can, is for the best.

Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 04/10/2016 08:08

He doesn't but there is no going back.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 04/10/2016 08:16

Who is / will be the main carer for the children? If it's you, you should stay in the family home with them and he should move out. But he sounds abusive so I'm guessing he wouldn't go willingly?

You really need professional advice. Call Women's Aid on 0808 2000 247 for practical advice and emotional support. You could also talk to Citizens Advice about your benefit entitlement and housing options. Lastly, you may be entitled to legal aid but only if you report the abuse. You could call the free Rights of Women family law helpline for advice on your legal options.

Ideally you would get an occupation order for him to leave the house. But the most important thing is getting support and ensuring that you and your children are safe.

Are you confident that the children are safe at home with him? Do you want them with you?

Myusernameismyusername · 04/10/2016 08:48

I was refused when my name was on a mortgage. Really have to check with your local council. Mine basically said the house must be sold first

I lived with my mum until I could rent

Myusernameismyusername · 04/10/2016 08:50

Basically my council had a rule saying that I had made myself intentionally homeless and that I had a property to go to so they had no obligation to assist me.

PinkSquash · 04/10/2016 08:52

I get HB even though I'm named on a mortgage, but I fled from abuse so I think that's classed differently to normal

NameChange30 · 04/10/2016 09:00

In my area, people fleeing abusive relationships are given priority on the housing list, if they have dependent children that is. CAB will confirm but I suspect you will be entitled to HB as well... though not if you're living with family, obviously.

InTheseFlipFlops · 04/10/2016 09:03

my council wouldn't entertain it despite the abuse. But I had no children at the time.
Speak to women's aid as it sounds like they will be able to advise you with specifics

Lacoba66 · 04/10/2016 12:33

Hi OP. Hope this gives you more clarification.

Housing Benefit
Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 04/10/2016 13:24

Still finding it confusing. I'm in Scotland. I can't get through to CAB to even get an appointment. I desparately want to be with my children xx

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 04/10/2016 13:58

Try Women's Aid and/or Rights of Women.

How sure are you that the children are safe?

Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 04/10/2016 14:25

Rights of women is England & Wales only. No reply from women's aid. Finally got through to cab, first appt available 20th Oct. They can't even give me phone advice. I'm worried staying away from home that long I lose rights. I'm going there every day at 7am (when he has left) to get kids sorted for school and after work to cook dinner, see them. Then leaving before he gets home.

He would never hurt the kids. I'm 100% sure.

OP posts:
Lacoba66 · 04/10/2016 14:35

OP the same rules apply in Scotland.

Basically you are allowed 26 weeks worth of HB from the date you left the joint home. After this is you can prove that you are taking all reasonable steps to sell the property, then you may be allowed an extension. Obviously any amount of HB you are entitled to will depend on other circs, such as any savings and the size of the property that you decide to rent (local housing allowance rates apply).

The 2nd picture para 25 explains the above.
I would contact the local council and ask an adviser to confirm.

Housing Benefit
Housing Benefit
Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 04/10/2016 14:44

Thank you lacoba. That worries me he won't finish it in 6 months. I can't get through to council so have sent them an online enquiry.

OP posts:
NameChange30 · 04/10/2016 16:47

Glad you got through to CAB, shame they can't offer an appointment before 20th Oct but better late than never I suppose!

I hope you can get through to Women's Aid soon. If you're having trouble reaching anyone via the national helpline, you could always try sending an email enquiry or looking up local services on their website to see if you have better luck that way.

Hidingtonothing · 04/10/2016 16:59

The national Women's Aid number gets really busy so it can be very difficult to get through, do try Emma's suggestion for local services, you can search for what's available here www.womensaid.org.uk/domestic-abuse-directory/

Original poster
Hotwaterbottle1 · 04/10/2016 19:46

Thank you, appreciated all.

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread