How to Leave

[wantwhatsbest]

Does anyone know what help I would receive (in England) from the government/council regarding renting a house please? I have two children 8 & 6 and have finally had enough of my husband; just being spat at by him was the final straw. I just want to leave, but don't have a clue how to go about it.

Sorry to hear your H is abusive :(

Do you work? Are you currently renting or do you/him own the house?

Sorry to hear this OP. You can calculate how much universal credit (if it's been rolled out in your area) via the gov.uk website. There are 3 links on there to 3 different calculator tools. It takes into account your earnings and what he's paying you in spousal maintenance. Be aware though that spousal maintenance reduces your universal credit entitlement pound for pound.

You can apply for child benefit and as a single adult in a household you can get 25% off your council tax.

Child maintenance service website also has a calculator to work out the legal minimum child support he must pay you, based on his earnings, how much contact he has etc. If he won't pay maintenance then the child maintenance service will pursue him for you and can take the money directly from his wage. There is a fee payable for getting the money via this route, but he'll have to pay that too.

Sure there's more. Will keep thinking.

Good luck

Well done for making such a strong decision to leave.
He’s abusive and potentially dangerous so you may want to keep your plans to yourself while you prepare and only let him know when you’ve gone.
You can look at the entitledto website , for information about benefits, housing etc.
You’re making the best move for your children.
At the first instance try to gather your passport, bank details, birth certificates etc.
Ensure you have copies (you can take a photograph of them with your phone too so you have the info close to hand).

Definitely contact Women's Aid. Do you have somewhere safe you can stay in the short term?

What's your housing situation? Is it rented or mortgaged? I'd mortgaged, do you know the value of the equity?

Thank you; I will check out the calculators for an idea on what I will be able to afford rent wise.
We own our house (mortgaged) but I don't want to have to stay there whilst we sell it - it's not even on the market yet, obviously. He had the audacity to tell me he didn't even want to talk to me this morning. As if I'm in the wrong. I fully appreciate there are always two sides, but.. words actually fail me!
The children and I are safe at home, but it's just horrible. It's been like this for years really: most of the time pretty normal, interspersed with really lovely periods too; but also these truly toxic incidents when I get called the worst names and general abuse and a couple of physical episodes along the way. I hate that it's come to this, but I think that, sadly, it's inevitable.

Could you afford to just move into a furnished short let for a month or two while you get your bits together?