Is it safe to rely on working tax credits when renting?

[Allname]

I am currently getting divorced and will shortly be on my own with my two children. I work full time in a secure job but live a few hours from my family.
I have an interview for a job that is in my home town, sounds really interesting but due to the hours and less pay is about 13k less per year.
I have never applied for working tax credit before but looking at this it would make up a big part of the difference and less childcare would be needed/ would be able to be there with my children more. I am just worried as I will be needing to rent as we have sold our house (ex husband refused to move out) so I am hoping it will be possible to pass reference checks if decreasing salary. If I stay in my current job I cannot live near my family but will be more financially stable - presuming I can do everything on my own. It is a worrying time of great change in all aspects.

Working tax credits are now a legacy benefit . You wouldn't be able to make a new claim . You'd be claiming universal credit ! Not sure how that works . Good luck

Try TurnToUs they have a calculator which will tell you what you may be entitled to and how much.

Lots of landlords don't accept tenants on benefits ("no DSS") so I'd bear that in mind. And universal credit is peanuts so no I wouldn't want to rely on that, even if you could find a place to rent.

You will need to claim Universal credit rather than working tax credits. If you have more then 16k capital from the house sale then you won't qualify for Uc and will need to wait until your capital drops below 16k.

The posters are right it would have to be a new UC that you make OP. How much are you looking at roughly? You need to do a benefit calculator online try turn 2u website and it should give you a break down.

Well do you have any choice but to rely on them OP? I mean if you can manage with out them then you aren’t relying on them, if you can’t manage without them then you have no choice so the question is moot.