If I were to leave...

[SeriouslyConsideringIt]

Currently a SAHM to 2 pre-school DC. DC1 is at nursery, DC2 won't be eligible for funding for another 2 years.

If I were to leave my husband, would I receive any help from the government with the cost of childcare for my youngest to allow me to work part-time? (I know my husband would be responsible for contributing towards this too).

I'm not interested in peoples opinions on SAHM's and their vulnerability due to lack of financial independence. It is what it is. I'm looking for factual/helpful responses please, not judgement

this is a handy place to start, you can also check out how much child maintenance you might be able to expect here

Thank you for your reply and links.

Child maintenance does depend on how you share the custody of the children. I do 50 50 and don't receive anything. I'd suppose if you had a similar set up you'd only pay half of the child care costs? You may get a higher percentage of the settlement if you have lower earning potential, but they will expect you to seek work and your own income

Your DH wouldn't have to contribute to childcare costs.

You can look at entitled to for anticipated help

It definitely wouldn't be 50/50 initially as he works full-time and I'm currently unable to work due to not having childcare for my youngest.

I don't understand why he wouldn't be partly responsible for covering the cost of childcare.

He would be required to pay for the child care on the days he had them.

Universal credit will pay up to 85% of your childcare. Your partner will have to pay maintenance if its not 50 50 shared care with the children and you should also be entitled to other financial help from UC dependent on savings.
Have you already checked UC to see what you would be entitled to whilst not working and also when working?

He would be required to pay child maintenance and you would then get child benefit and most likely universal credit too, including help with rent if needed.
You can get tax free childcare, so 20% off your bill but really you'd have to work when he had the children or pay the childcare bill out of your new household earning.

As of April next year, you can get 15 hours for 2 yr olds if you're working so that should help too.

Just to add. If he needed childcare on the days he had them, it would be up to him to pay for that just like it's up to you to pay for it on the days you require it.

Depends on whether you're named on the mortgage as well as your house is considered an asset so also may reduce the amount of benefits you're entitled to.

I’ve used the benefits calculator and according to that I’d be MUCH better off financially if I left my husband. Surely that can’t be right?

@Elmer83 depends on your circumstances, if you rent and then getting a contribution towards your rent that can make a difference as can if you work and then get help towards childcare costs. Also depends on how you and your partner currently "share money".

Also you may have more disposable income in the short term but that it's it, you will never likely to improve on that level - DC need less childcare, receive less in UC, never have the security of owning a home, if the DC move out then you have to move or pay "bedroom tax".

If you ever have saving on inheritance above a certain amount benefits are reduced or stop. Rent goes above the local assessed "value" you have to make up the difference.