Universal Credit help

[Hattie78]

Hi
I’m considering my options as I face up to the fact that I think my 14 year marriage is over. We have two children.
I’ve been looking on CAB and trying to calculate benefits for if/when I move out (I plan to move into rented while I consider what to do). I’m unsure how it will work with universal credit. Will I be entitled to it if I live in rented accommodation but I do own our marital home (well, we have a mortgage together). Will I be able to rent and get UC? What happens with the mortgage? Do I have to keep paying that as there’s no way I could afford to do both.
Any help would be appreciated as I feel so trapped or even advice as to where to go to find the answers to these questions.
Thanks.

My understanding is a property you are not living in is counted as savings when an plying for UC. If it's up for sale I think there can be an exemption period, same if it houses a former partner that is now a lone parent.

Do you have to leave your home?

The entitled to website is useful. CAB often do drop in sessions at children's centres that might help clarify things.

Thank you.
I think I will have to leave as it’s me that wants to end things. I can’t imagine he’ll make it easy and offer to go so I need to have all the knowledge. Also I couldn’t manage the mortgage on my own.

Get legal advice before you leave. Would the children be staying with you?

I can’t see that you would be entitled to the housing element of universal credit if you own a property. How much equity is in the house? It might need to be sold. How would you afford the rent if you moved out? What’s your position with work?

When I split with exh the finances were sorted out as part of the divorce and we had to sell the house as neither of us could afford it on our own.

Btw you will probably qualify for some benefits if you have the children but everyone’s circumstances are different.

I imagine the house would need to be sold or he will buy me out, just need something in the short term so I thought moving out and renting. I do work but only part time so would struggle with rent, bills etc on my own but I could manage short term. I’m not sure how it works with the mortgage though, whether I’d still have to pay that as well even if I’m not living there as there’s no way I can afford that.
I imagine we will share custody but I haven’t sorted that with him yet as I wanted to know I had options beforehand.

You are both liable for the mortgage even if you don’t live there. It depends what you can agree between yourselves. When my exh left he didn’t contribute a penny but he knew I would pay the mortgage because I was sensible and wouldn’t put the house at risk.