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Relationships

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Original poster

how much money will I get from the state if I leave my husband?

75 replies

whateverisnext · 27/01/2018 13:32

If I leave my partner I will move back to a property I own in another part of the U.K. I will have a five year old and two year old. I will have no job and no real sellable skills to get a job, certainly not one that will cover child care costs.

The property I own is my only asset and is owned outright so I can live rent and mortgage free.
What money will I have to live on if I leave? Will I have to divorce my husband to be entitled to anything?

OP posts:

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:36

you will be able to claim child benefit, child tax credit and if/when you get a job you will also be able to get working family tax credit.

As you own your property, you won't be able to get housing benefit, but possibly you could apply for council tax to be paid, not sure.

I think once you are separated, you will be able to claim as a single person but it would be an idea to consult eg CAB about this.

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:36

if you are not working you might also get income support.

Original poster

whateverisnext · 27/01/2018 13:38

Thanks DullandOld. Any idea how much actual money this would be a week?

OP posts:

Fairylea · 27/01/2018 13:40

This is useful - www.entitledto.co.uk/

It’s free and anonymous and you can repeat the calculations as many times as you like entering different figures.

Myheartbelongsto · 27/01/2018 13:40

Or how much could you earn so that you can support your family.

greekyoghurt · 27/01/2018 13:41

🤨

Hermonie2016 · 27/01/2018 13:41

You coukd use the entitledto website for an estimation.
You will be able to claim child maintenance, go on their website to get an assessment if you know his income.

If you want a spousal maintenance your h would have to agree or go to court to get an assessment.New changes since 2015 makes SM only likely if your ex is a high earner however you will be expected to maximise your earnings.Did you work prior to children? You will be eligible for some childcare at some stage so don't write off working as it will be possible for you.

If you are married the house will be a joint asset so your H will have an entitlement to his share.All other assets like pensions can be split.
If you have assets its impirtant to see a solicitor, don't assume anything until you have had advice.
If you don't divorce you each have financial claims over each other.

430West · 27/01/2018 13:41

You should really sell your property and live on the proceeds before you take money from the taxpayer to fund your lifestyle.

Many many people from whom you will be taking money do not own their own properties, do you think that's fair?

You should be able to afford the rental deposit and a few year's rent payments from the proceeds of the sale. Hopefully by then you will be back on your feet and able to look at buying again.

EggsonHeads · 27/01/2018 13:42

Can't you get maintence from your husband? You will also be able to take advantage of 15 free hours childcare for the two year old rising to 30 hours so you could take a part time job to earn a bit of money.

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:42

no it has been a few years now since I was in a similar situation.

www.gov.uk/income-support

I am not sure how long single parents can stay on income support before they are pushed onto JSA or Universal Credit. It used to be until the youngest child was 16 (!) then 5, now I am not sure.

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:43

430, if she owns a house then she is already self supporting as she wont be claiming HB.
Honestly the nonsense that people come out with.

430West · 27/01/2018 13:44

I don't think you can claim income support if you have more than £16k in assets (unless one of a few exceptions apply - you are sick, or a carer for example)

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:45

how would she be able to buy again after spunking all her house proceeds on rent? no she wouldn't, so she and her children would be in insecure rented accommodation, eventually costing the state even more in HB or rehousing. Think a little.

430West · 27/01/2018 13:47

430, if she owns a house then she is already self supporting as she wont be claiming HB

So Child benefit/tax credits and income support all come from the magic money tree?

Vitalogy · 27/01/2018 13:47

but possibly you could apply for council tax to be paid, not sure. You should get 25% single person discount on Council Tax.

Roomba · 27/01/2018 13:47

No, you just have to be separated from him ie not loving together as part of the same household. If you're moving away from him that satisfies that requirement.

If you're not working and your child is 5 or over, you'll be able to claim universal credit. You'll be entitled to about £73 a week for yourself, plus about £64 a week for your child. You'll also get child benefit on top and can claim council tax benefit to cover your council tax bill. But - you will be expected to spend at least 35 hours per week actively looking for work and applying for jobs. You can't turn down job offers but the face you have a young child will be taken into account so you won't be forced to accept night shifts if you have no childcare, for example. You will have to wait 5-6 weeks minimum before you get your first payment, so take that into account. You can be referred to a food bank during that time if needed. Any child maintenance you get shouldn't affect your benefits, but spousal maintenance will do IIRC.

Disclaimer: obviously I don't know all your personal and financial circumstances so some things may affect your entitlements. I used to work in a Jobcentre and have had to claim universal credit in the same situation. You may be eligible for other help if you're leaving an abusive relationship. Best people to ask are CAB or someone like Welfare Rights for further advice.

Vixnixtrix1981 · 27/01/2018 13:47

Try the website www.entitledto.co.uk

It should be able to give you an indication on the benefits calculator

Rumpledfaceskin · 27/01/2018 13:48

you should really sell your property and live on the proceeds before you take money from the taxpayer
Every bloody time someone posts about benefits. It starts already.

What ridiculous shortsighted advice. And make 2 children homeless? And when the money runs out get trapped into a cycle of overpriced renting (which will cost the taxpayer far more in the long run in housing benefits) ?

You’re lucky op that you have a house. You should be able to work part time as a single parent and claim wtc, ctc, presumably your ex will have to pay child maintenance? Good luck.

430West · 27/01/2018 13:48

how would she be able to buy again after spunking all her house proceeds on rent?

...but many of the people from whom she would be taking money are not in a position to buy, and never will be.

Why should OP be able to take their money? What makes her a special case?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 27/01/2018 13:48

You should really sell your property and live on the proceeds before you take money from the taxpayer to fund your lifestyle.

If OP does this, then when her money runs out (and it will go surprisingly quickly if she is forced to rent) then she will cost the state a damn sight more in housing benefit than she will in subsistence living allowances!

Vitalogy · 27/01/2018 13:50

after spunking all her house proceeds on rent I don't usually point out typo's but that was a good un.

DullAndOld · 27/01/2018 13:50

430 , this person is obviously in a bad place and is considering leaving her husband, and has asked for advice about what she might be entitled to.

As she owns a house outright, she is in a good position and will in the long term cost the state a lot less.

For you to start on about 'the magic money tree' (original...lol) at this moment is insensitive at best, and cuntish at worst.

megletthesecond · 27/01/2018 13:51

Don't sell the property. What a daft idea. Would cost you and the state a fortune in a few years. Not to mention the lack of stability renting.

Vitalogy · 27/01/2018 13:52

Selling the house would be a false economy.

Rumpledfaceskin · 27/01/2018 13:52

430 it’s if you have more than 16k in cash savings. Your home isn’t taken into account. It’s is actually an annoyance of mine that we would be entitled to ctc if we owned a house, but because we have money that we’ve saved (for a deposit) we’re exempt, when clearly we would be richer in assets if we were home owners.

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