Any advice or info on council housing/benefits

[Chelswels]

TLDR: I’m a single, unemployed SAHM facing homelessness in next 6 weeks, what could I hope to receive in benefits/what sort of housing band would the council likely give me?

Hi,long story….basically I’d been having problems in my marriage for a mile. Husband was working part time (caring for our 2 year old on other days) and me full time. Then in Jan I was made redundant. He went full time work to support us financially, I’m now a SAHM. Marriage has now ended after lots of problems, we’re constantly arguing and my redundancy pay runs out mid April and that’s all I have to live off. Do get UC but not sure on the amount because they’re still revising the amount since me losing my job…now we’ve split they can’t change to a single claim until we live separately. I have nowhere else to go, run out money mid April. I can’t afford to stay in this house from then, husband can and intends to. Spoke to council and they’re reviewing my forms and income/expenditure. Can anyone who has been in a similar position advise me on the following:

• I’m a single, unemployed SAHM to 2 year old daughter - any rough ideas on what money I could receive to support me through benefits? Even a general ball park area for those in similar situations
• Also, what band am I likely to get given for council housing? I have a home for now, but come April I will not be able to stay here or contribute to bills as my only money left will be for food and expenses. I have nobody I could live with.

I appreciate a lot of this will be opinion based but im just getting jittery waiting to hear back from council because they haven’t even fully confirmed I will be going on the housing list and I’m worrying about running out of money before I’ve found a home for me and my daughter (and dog).

If you are married you can stay in the house.

Rented or mortgaged house?

You could go on a site like Entitledto and put in your figures.

Housing Benefit doesn't exist now for most people. You need to claim Universal Credit.

(Sorry misread the title and thought you mentioned Housing Benefit 😂)

Go online and play around with entitlement calculators.

I can’t stay in the house because I can’t afford it. My money will run out in April. It’s a privately rented house and I can’t afford it.

Is the rent in your name OP?

It’s a joint tenancy so he is welcome to stay on in the house and he has the money to do so.

You need to get actual advice on this. Contact citizens advice. Council won't want to accept you as homeless and will try to insist that as his wife you have the right to stay in the property. I don't know what you can do about that, and you need proper advice asap

Oh and you can switch to a single person UC claim as long as you have separate finances and aren't sharing a bed or living together like a couple. Think housemates. Housemates who don't much like each other and don't share meals

Well I’ve explained that it’s not a happy environment for my 2 year old with us shouting at each other and also I’ve explained that I can’t physically afford to pay the bills to stay there so they’re going to assess my situation but maybe I’ll call citizens advice too then

I tried to do this but they said until one of us physically leaves the household then they can’t do it

Ok, you need to request mandatory reconsideration of that decision

Contact Shelter. https://england.shelter.org.uk/get_help

You normally need to be evicted to become 'homeless'. In a rental, this would take several months from first advice to court judgement. You have to wait for the legal process to complete.

Your tenancy situation's a bit woolly from what you've said. Clarify your position with the landlord before talking to Shelter.

It's not the local authority's job to stop you and your ex shouting at each other! Get the facts and leave emotions out of it (difficult, I know, but put them to the side while dealing with practicalities).

First question - are you on the tenancy? Has your husband given notice that he intends to give up the rental? The council (at the moment) will decide that you are 'adequately housed' and you need to be careful that they don't decide that you're making yourself 'intentionally homeless'
Only your local council can tell you what band you would be in, the most likely being that you would be offered temporary accommodation at least to start with. Because your daughter is the same sex, this could be a 1 bedroom accommodation as they will say that you can share a room. You may also find that your council doesn't allow dogs in temporary accommodation so you will need to plan who would be responsible for the dog in that event.
As far as benefits, put your exact circumstances into 'entitledto' and that will give an idea. If you're already on universal credit then you won't run out of money. They will amend your claim.
Look up the local housing allowance rate for your area as this will give the highest amount you could expect to receive.
You would also be expected to actively seek employment, I can't remember the minimum amount of hours you'd be expected to work.

You can claim as a single even though you still live in the same house. You can be separated living under the same roof. You may be able to afford your half of the rent. You would need to claim uc with housing element.

I'm guessing with the separating you don't really want to stay there? The thing with that is the council will see it as a place you can stay if you leave they are likely to say your intentionally homeless. ( unless there's DV)

Another thing is depending on how much it is UC may pay all of the rent or most of it . It depends on your local housing allowance for that area . That's if your ex was to leave.

If you are on the tenancy and married you can stay in the house without paying the bills. Your DH will have to pay the bills and if he doesn't you will both be evicted. If you are evicted you can present yourself as homeless. So stay in the house and stop shouting in front of your child.

If they don't pay rent and get evicted due to rent arrears op will be classed as intentionally homeless and the council won't help .