I have ended my relationship. What do I do now?!

[PinkPeer]

It's been a long time coming but I've finally told my partner of five years that I want to sperate. We have a 2 Yo DS together. We live in a rented as joint tenants. I moved here to be with him so I'm a long way from family. I've been unhappy for a long while and don't feel we are compatible anymore. He doesn't see the issue and has asked to fix things but sadly I don't think it can be fixed. Ive been thinking about this for a while.

He is unwilling to move out of our shared house. Despite not needing the space and he won't be the main carer for our DS. What shall I do now? I'm totally reliant on him financially, I have no savings, and not a lot of income. I do not work and I receive a disability benefit. Please any help on where to go now would be appreciated.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I'm not from your parts, so not sure of correct terminology, but can you get some sort of government assistance? Or council housing?

Wish I could be more help.

Move out and move in with family if possible. If that’s not possible and if there’s no abuse or urgent need to leave immediately, perhaps stay where you are for now and approach your local council to ask what your options are re housing. Look out for private landlords that accept UC claimants.

If you claim UC, they will help with rent if you can find another place to live and you can claim housing element from them which may cover up to 100% of your rent (I think it’s capped at different amounts depending on where you live).

Once you have left, you can make an application through CMS for child support. That way your ex will have to contribute towards your child’s expenses at the very least.

It’s doing to be hard to deal with looking after a young child, your break up, your disability and starting fresh and getting on your feet but you’re doing the right thing and you’re already so strong and setting such a good example to your DC by leaving an unhappy relationship even when it may have been logistically easier to stay.

You’ve done the right thing and you will be so much happier once this initial struggle is over