How does being a single parent work?

[spanglyundies]

I have stayed with my DH for far too long for the sake of the kids but I have hit breaking point and am ready to leave.

I am now working full time and have a decent wage so I am able to rent a 2 bed or maybe a 3 bed place at a push.

However this will leave us very short of cash, especially as I can imagine that I will have lots of childcare costs - there is no breakfast club at the children's school for example and there are only after school clubs on some days and not others and they finish at 4.30 anyway.

How to tax credits work and are single parents eligible?

It'll be universal credit as a new claim.
You should get single person discount on your council tax.
Your ex should pay child support.

There are online calculators that you can use to get an idea of the financials.

Thanks. I'm going to have to move out as the house is one we get through his work so I'm the one who has to go. Feeling relieved that it's come to a head but he is quite emotionally en-suite and gaslighting is his favourite trick so I know I am in for a very hard time. He is taking kids away for the first half of half term and I will take them for the second half but it gives me a few days to sort somewhere to stay and take photos of his payslips etc

You will get Universal Credit now. I'm still on tax credits and have heard UC is a bit of a nightmare.

The tax credits element will depend entirely on your wage. I think the cut off is around £35k but I'm no

You need to look into maintenance from your ex. Unless you are planning on doing 50/50 care. He should be helping you with childcare costs and paying half of those.

En-suite? I meant abusive

Put as much as you can into the calculator on entitledto.org. it's very helpful